The Sailor and the Showgirl (1993) is a photo comic strip, combining references to both porn and fairytale in a tongue in cheek storyline. Here Boffin puts herself in the work as the showgirl, Shi-Shi - a drag queen in London's Soho, born from a desire to perform identities and sexualities. Boffin is ‘decked out in two-inch long eyelashes, a mountainous black wig, a diamond-patterned, sequined, lurex dress and red feather boa.’

Boffin’s girlfriend at the time, Nerina Ferguson plays the part of Sam, a sailor on shore leave. Little bubbles capture their thoughts and dialogue as they get aquainted. The final shot shows Sam and Shi-Shi in an embrace under a billboard akin to the V-J Day in Times Square photograph portraying a sailor kissing a stranger.

The piece promotes safe sex practices and sex positivity using street language in a camp, cinematic project. The work was made in collaboration with Nerina Ferguson and Denis Doran and commissioned by the Network and Terrence Higgins Trust for the 'Positive Lives: The Response to HIV' exhibition at the Photographers Gallery in 1993.