Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Queenz The Show With Balls is now on a UK tour. On Friday, I went down to the Clapham Grand to check it out.
Five drag queens; Dior Monte (Jaymi Hensley), Bella Du Ball (Ben Sell), Billie Eyelash (Luke Hall), Zeze Van Cartier (Lew Ray) and Candy Caned (Josh Hanson), take to the stage and stun with pop anthems, musical theatre showstoppers and iconic diva tracks.
What I love most about this show is that the vocal performances are all sung live. Some drag shows use lip sync performances but Queenz is not one of them. Each queen displays incredible vocals throughout, and that’s what makes this show stand out in the growing crowd of drag shows.
At the end of Act One there is a musical mega mix, in which the queens perform songs from 20 shows in just 7 minutes, changing up the lyrics to make them fit the show’s narrative of gender-bending gay pride. This was the highlight of the show for me, it was a delightfully camp, wonderfully fun performance.
At times the lighting was facing the audience and was far too bright, it was slightly reminiscent of the club lights being turned on at the end of the night. Some of the lights also blinded you momentarily as they panned around the audience. I found that the sound was much too loud on occasion, which slightly diluted the voices on stage – and made me worry for their vocal cords! Both of these very minor flaws can easily be remedied.
Queenz is unlike other drag shows I’ve seen this year, which were more akin to variety performances with a repertoire of talents and tricks. This show is vocal performances punctuated with some audience interaction and humorous dialogue in between, and it works splendidly.
The costumes in Act One featured lots of leotards – and we all know what Michelle Visage would say about this! However the costumes in Act Two were simply stunning. Just before the finale, the Queenz delivered a speech about acceptance and Candy Caned choked up whilst doing so. Which made this and the subsequent performance of ‘True Colours’ emotionally charged and even more powerful.
With outstanding powerhouse vocals, a beautiful message of living your truth and acceptance, Queenz is a joyful celebration, and hands down the best drag show I’ve seen this year. This show is so much fun, and I was blown away by the talent of these five queens, particularly Hensley and Hall, who delivered jaw-dropping vocals. Queenz The Show With Balls is a brilliantly fun night out, so grab your fellow Queenz and go and see the Queenz, on one of the tour stops near you! You’re guaranteed a royally fun time!
{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}
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