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Let or not it’s identified: Kate Butch and Crudi Dench are fabulous performers. Entering the venue, viewers members are immersed within the journey expertise with pretend steel detectors and the timeless query of “chicken or beef?” The tone of silliness is about, and humour ranges solely climb greater, with some attendees really in hysterics. If ridiculousness is your factor, it is a masterclass; from opening the overhead locker “to show how good I am at miming”, to an emotional assist lasagne, to a puppet vampire slayer – what’s to not love? The present’s plot is remarkably cohesive: two queens are…
Rating
Excellent
Slay, queen! The Haus of Dench are off to Eurovision in Transylvania, and this vampire present is bloody sensible.
Let or not it’s identified: Kate Butch and Crudi Dench are fabulous performers. Entering the venue, viewers members are immersed within the journey expertise with pretend steel detectors and the timeless query of “chicken or beef?” The tone of silliness is about, and humour ranges solely climb greater, with some attendees really in hysterics. If ridiculousness is your factor, it is a masterclass; from opening the overhead locker “to show how good I am at miming”, to an emotional assist lasagne, to a puppet vampire slayer – what’s to not love?
The present’s plot is remarkably cohesive: two queens are off to signify Britain in Eurovision, and can be staying in Dracula’s Transylvanian Airbnb. Butch enters a romantic tryst with the brooding Count, and it’s Crudi’s job as a fledgling vampire slayer to save lots of the unwitting Eurovision attendees. Props and costume are splendidly accomplished, with Kate Butch reworking from a jet-setter to a gothic empress; Crudi Dench being elevated to vampire slayer; in addition to use of puppets, weapons, and costume for viewers individuals. Lighting is used imaginatively, from purple to point evil to a blue-light to run a hygiene test on the lodge room. The jokes and their execution are genius, with dance numbers and bodily comedy as well. Early plot factors that appear throwaway are constructed on and referenced later, leading to a really sturdy and well-developed script.
I’ve by no means seen viewers interplay executed as this present does. Those who have been courageous sufficient to take a seat within the entrance row have been remodeled into Eurovision critics and even Dracula himself, utilizing foolish hats and a vampire cape. A voice from above broadcasts “I, Dracula, the man in the white shirt with a heart on it, will now stand up” – I can’t consider how nicely this labored, and the payoff in laughter was immense. Energy ranges keep excessive all through, and the straightforward staging of two panels and a few chairs is used to its most potential, for example making Dracula sit in a tiny chair subsequent to the tall drag queens: each alternative for fun is efficiently snapped up. Even their slip-ups have been dealt with brilliantly. If both queen tripped on a line or their heels it was constructed into an even bigger second of comedy, demonstrating confidence and professionalism.
This is probably the very best present I’ve seen at VAULT competition, and I used to be nonetheless stifling snort-laughs on the bus dwelling. These two queens work seamlessly as a duo and had unimaginable chemistry with the viewers. There are really too many sensible moments to checklist, with the idea of Eurovision vampires being cleverly developed utilizing dazzling wit. The solely fault? It’s utterly unbelievable that Britain may ever win Eurovision! Bring all your mates, but additionally deliver a picket stake and a few garlic.
Story by: Matthew Stallworthy and Eleanor Mason
Writing by: Matthew Stallworthy, Eleanor Mason and Molly Parker
Produced by: Lucia Rimini on behalf of Haus of Dench
Drag Queens vs Vampires performed as a part of VAULT Festival 2023 and has accomplished its present run. The present may also be acting at Brighton Fringe on 6 and seven May. Further info may be discovered on the corporate’s web site right here.