CURTAINS UP

With many of us desperate to park our bum in a theatre, Alex Klineberg shares some of the best shows, postlockdown, to a bring a bit of gay jollity back to our lives

The theatre industry has been wiped out since March 2020. In lockdown, we’ve been sitting at home consuming TV, films, music, books and podcasts. The performers who produce so much of the content have been left with little or zero income. Writers can keep on writing. Established stars might have the cash to keep them going for a year, but the vast majority of performers are not Mariah Carey.

There’s a huge amount of pent-up demand for live events, so when theatre comes back it’s likely to do so in a big way. With a roadmap out of lockdown, theatre productions are now being confirmed for summer and beyond. Here’s our round-up of the theatrical highlights to look out for. Be sure to support the arts and go see some shows when it’s legal to have fun again.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Based on the true story of a Sheffield teenager who dreamed of being a drag queen, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie became an unlikely smash hit when it opened in 2017. The West End production will return on May 20 at London’s Apollo Theatre. Popular with all age groups, it’s a heartwarming and high camp show you should definitely check out.

Hairspray

John Waters’ 1988 cult classic turned out to be Divine’s last movie. Set in the early ‘60s, the film is a bad taste tribute to small-town Americana and pop culture. Despite being a minor hit upon release, the film never went out of fashion. In the age of Drag Race, Hairspray hasn’t dated at all.

The musical has been running since 2002. Like Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, it’s a supremely camp, feel-good show. It’ll be heading to the London Coliseum for a limited run from April 22 - August 28 with Michael Ball filling Divine’s wig.

Witness for the Prosecution

Based on Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama, this production pays tribute to her book and the 1957 film. Who could forget Marlene Dietrich’s imperious performance? As this is an Agatha Christie story, someone has been murdered and an air of genteel menace prevails. Dorothy Parker said that any playwright who includes a courtroom scene should be shot, this play is something of an exception. It opens on May 18 at County Hall in London.

SIX

The Queens are back! You know, Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour… and the other three. You may have heard of them. They had the misfortune to marry Henry VIII, a monarch who had a fixation with beheading his wives. Only this time, they’ve formed a girl band and they’re seeking pop stardom.

It’s an ingenious premise for a musical. Six sassy queens ready to sashay out of the history books and slay. You’ll learn a thing or two about British history in the process. The musical is also a very 21st-century expression of Girl Power. SIX was 2019’s Olivier Award nominee for Best New Musical. It’s coming to Theatre Royal Brighton from August 3 - 7.

Death Drop

Death Drop is a ‘Dragatha Christie’ drama set on Tuck Island in 1991. The assembled guests begin to reveal their sordid pasts and we have a murder mystery on our hands. As the suspicion mounts, we hurtle towards the whodunnit moment. This is a lighthearted romp starring Drag Race performers Courtney Act and Monét X Change.

It’s billed as having “more twists and turns than a drag queen’s wig”. Death Drop is set to return to London’s Garrick Theatre from May 19.

Heathers: The Musical

Heathers is one of the great American teen movies, and one of the most iconic ‘80s movies from any genre. It’s one of those films people rediscover every year. And those types of films often get turned into musicals – because, money!

Set in the all-American highschool Westerberg High, Veronica Sawyer is the nobody dreaming of being a somebody. She ends up befriending the Heathers – the nasty but cool girls. When the hooligan teen JD shows up, things start to go downhill. This film clearly inspired Mean Girls. American highschool films have become a genre unto themselves, with their own unique tropes and narrative arcs.

Heathers: The Musical ran for two successful West End seasons. It will be heading to Theatre Royal, Brighton from May 25 - 29.

The Frock Fairies in Sleeping (with) Beauty – Adult Panto

What could be more British than pantomime? A pantomime starring Baga Chipz, Divina De Campo and Blu Hydrangea will also be on the bill.

Baga, Divina and Blu, aka The Frock Fairies, arrive with bespoke gifts for Princess Beauty. But the “evil minger”, Carabosse, shows up and leaves a curse upon Princess Beauty: she will prick her finger and die on her 18th birthday. The kingdom despairs.

This is a high camp panto – are there any other kinds? – that promises rude jokes, trashy songs and many gags. This is an Adult Panto so you might want to leave the kids at home. Otherwise they will be subjected to unfiltered filth from Baga Chipz! One night only on June 28 at Theatre Royal, Brighton.