REVIEW - BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER

This new musical is based on the 1999 film starring Natasha Lyonne and Rupaul. It centres around Megan, a 17 year old cheerleader, who is sent to a conversion camp called True Directions, as her friends and family suspect she is a lesbian. There are plenty of musicals adapted from teen movies which have garnered cult status such as Heathers, Mean Girls etc. This show has all the satire of Heathers, however it’s full of great comedy and it’s beautifully camp and queer. This production is directed by Tania Azevedo and the staging is bubble gum pink, so you know you’re in for a good time!

Jodie Steele is incredible as Kimberley and Aussie Hilary. Her use of physical comedy, her timing, everything was on point and she managed to make these two roles, fully formed characters that you could tell the difference between – which is beyond impressive.

Edward Chitticks plays Jared the Jock, and Rock the camp leader’s closeted son. He really shines in the role as Rock, interacting with the audience and providing so many laughs.

Jodie Jacobs and Oliver Brooks also take on two roles, switching between Megan’s parents and Lloyd and Larry, a gay couple that help free the people at the camp. They switch between these characters seamlessly, and are hilarious in both roles. They prove natural comedians within their roles in the show. There is not a weak link to be found within this cast, they are all brilliant.

The score, by Bill Augustin and Andrew Abrams is perfection, it makes you immediately want the Spotify playlist. So you can sing along to “No homo no more” on repeat.

This show is so much fun and ridiculous at times. I feel it could do with more space than it has, the size of theatre impacts the production slightly and makes some parts feel quite cramped. I’d love to see what they could do with this show on a bigger scale and with a bigger budget, I think that would make it amazing.

But I’m a Cheerleader is exactly the feel good fun and ridiculousness we need right now – Don’t take it seriously and you’ll have a great time!

This show needs a West End transfer, were fully in need of something camp and queer in Theatreland – and I also need a cast recording now please.