From the glittering heights of Hollywood to the roaring sound of the West End, Jinkx Monsoon delivers a spectacular insight into their kooky (yet incredible) brain and reminds us all that drag isn’t just “sex on legs” but a celebration of all forms of entertainment. A cornacopia of jazz, comedy and the odd heckle at audience members leaving mid-performance calls for an oozing of delights that really pinpoint what drag and performance art is.
A modern day Laurel and Hardy with the same amount of campiness as Walliams and Lucas
Set in the distant future - one in which earth has been taken over by a reptilian species, we are introduced to a very mature Jinkx and her writing partner, Major Scales. The two spend the next hour and a half looking back on their successful career together as singer/songwriter supremes. Notability their most famous piece together was the new national anthem for Earth's new reptilian rulers.
Now many people may know Jinkx Monsoon from their time on season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR). The tv hit is many seasons into production now (14) with spin offs and all-stars alike, and similiarly it will take something impossible to stop the streak of Miss Monsoon. A true star who not only pulls at our heartstrings but also continues to deliver honest and side splitting comedy. It is enthrawlling to see such talent perform in the intimate space of the Leicester Square Theatre - taking us all into the palm of her hand as she takes us on a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
However Monsoon is not alone in their cabaret adventure. Major Scales too shared the limelight, providing smooth musical transitions as they accompanied the jazz powerhouse of Jinkx. Scales jabs us with the right kick of fun, joy and ease that the whole hour and a half cabaret becomes a “blink and you’ll miss it” extravaganza. With cameo videos from (a now brain in a jar) BenDela Creme - this show screams FUN! Focusing on the narrative of Jinkx, a single mother filled with ambition who wins the biggest drag talent show in the world who suddenly is now a faded starlet destined to make her comeback for one final shindig.
The show is exactly what we need. An adventure that we do not want to end and (of course) who else but Jinkx Monsoon would think of such a story to tell.
Monsoon and Scales are the duo we really need right now. A modern day Laurel and Hardy with the same amount of campiness as Walliams and Lucas. This show is NOT to be missed. I repeat. NOT. TO. BE. MISSED. I cannot wait to see what this pair come up with next - bearing in mind the reptile empire hasn’t taken control of us all by then.
