[ad_1]
These queens have been in all places; regionally gracing the Udderbelly Festival in the summertime, now settling in to the Arts Theatre for a 3 evening residency. They’re like Britney or Gaga in Vegas – solely on Great Newport Street and briefer. With a remaining cease in Birmingham this yr, then a northern tour from Wakefield to Aberystwyth in 2023, there isn’t a excuse to not seize a ticket! But why would you need to? Astute query my vivid little bobbin! Singing drag queens aren’t a brand new phenomenon. Many Ru Paul’s Drag Race rivals market themselves as singers (generally optimistically). The distinction right here is the…
Rating
Excellent
This glorious present will seize you by the….vocal cords, and swing on until Christmas!
These queens have been in all places; regionally gracing the Udderbelly Festival in the summertime, now settling in to the Arts Theatre for a 3 evening residency. They’re like Britney or Gaga in Vegas – solely on Great Newport Street and briefer. With a remaining cease in Birmingham this yr, then a northern tour from Wakefield to Aberystwyth in 2023, there isn’t a excuse to not seize a ticket!
But why would you need to? Astute query my vivid little bobbin! Singing drag queens aren’t a brand new phenomenon. Many Ru Paul’s Drag Race rivals market themselves as singers (generally optimistically). The distinction right here is the theatricality, scale, and the (nearly) unanimous expertise throughout the board. Sandwiched between The Choir of Man: a ingesting musical track cycle in varied keys of masculinity, and Austentatious: a Georgian comedy, Queenz is an entertaining palette cleanser.
Like any good woman group, the gals fill totally different roles. Although the pitchy harmonies put them extra within the Pussy Cat Dolls belt than The Supremes, this visible, vocal, and elegance demarcation feels acquainted and comforting.
Ben Sell as Bella Du Ball is the vocal lead, the Geri Halliwell of the group. Tall, bedecked in lamé, and later a silver screen-style robe in…effectively silver sequins, she belts, wails, and Aguilera’s her method by way of any quantity she touches. Easily probably the most assured on stage, her energetic Tina Turner is contrasted with slower sadder items later within the night. On high of that, her battle with the sassy and stage-hugging techie Jase (performed by Stephen Robson) proves she will be able to grasp comedy as effectively. Now that’s a straightforward…Sell (you understand, I’m not even sorry for that one)!
X Factor and Union J’s personal Jaymi Hensley as Dior Monte cements the comedy issue, mercilessly skewering the viewers within the entrance two rows. Poor Becky from Hertfordshire is mercilessly abused for her alternative in Christmas jumper, and we’re all reminded of the joyful cruelty of British theatre. Gifted with spectacular pipes and a way of humour to shock a sailor, Dior Monte is actually a triple-threatening queen.
Craig Colley (Billie Eyelash) and Lew Ray (Zeze Van Cartier) each look the half and have sturdy vocal abilities however fall into the background somewhat, regardless of many spirited excessive kicks in really monstrous heels. Again like Pussy Cat Dolls, they supply the hair flips and dance spine vital for a profitable troupe.
Josh Hanson as Candy Caned is the Michelle William/Posh Spice of the gang. Looking the half in child pink, she has the weakest voice, however makes up for it with real feeling within the remaining moderately smulchy however anticipated conclusion. Queue the ‘love yourself’ rhetoric and Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours.
The ladies run by way of varied covers, interject with blue humour and loads of crotch grabbing: in any case, this can be a drag present. Interestingly, they shine greatest in a musical medley transforming classics of the encompassing theatres. This is the purpose the place the group feels most alive. Of course, the covers chosen all through do drag us up onto our toes: Cher, ABBA, Spice Girls. They clearly know their viewers effectively.
The present is admittedly half an hour too lengthy, however you possibly can perceive the temptation to hog the West End stage on their debut. Even with their expertise, sassy choreography, Rikki Finlay’s glamorous costumes, and gutsy vocals, the dearth of path generally peeks out.
However, compared to a number of the singles produced by Drag Race alumni, all these ladies have bankable uniqueness, charisma, nerve, and expertise. “Everyone can be a queen” is the present’s motto, however I might a lot moderately you gals do it, as you do it so effectively!
Directed and produced by: David Michael Productions, David Griego and Kieran Powell
QUEENZ – The Show with BALLS! performs at Arts Theatre till . Further data and bookings will be discovered right here.