Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Soho Theatre, London
Expect big hair, big heart and big laughs as Britain’s ditziest daredevil takes on her biggest challenge yet and asks the question: just how far will she go for a round of applause? Bursting with stunning looks and cunning stunts, GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! is a hilarious new show about taking risks, pushing yourself and living up to expectations.
Written, directed, and performed by Ginger Johnson, with original songs by cabaret legends Bourgeois and Maurice, Ginger Johnson Blows Off! will showcase 80’s power ballads and jaw-dropping glamour.
Fresh off her sell-out time at Edinburgh Fringe, reigning Queen of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK; Ginger Johnson is heading out on a tour of the UK with her new show ‘Ginger Johnson Blows Off’. This is a silly, whirlwind show in which Ginger shocks the audience with death defying stunts!
Whether you’re a Drag Race fan or not you will love this show; Ginger brings her well known brand of comedy and fantastic storytelling to the stage and the excitement from the audience can be felt throughout the theatre before Ginger makes her entrance on a hilariously small, motorised bike (named Jane Honda) sporting an Evil Knievel-esque fringed jumpsuit. She opens the show with an original song about Drag Race and how she achieved her goal of becoming a Drag Superstar, but of course what does she do now? She has achieved her goal…so she must find another one. This is where the show comes in, Ginger looks back on her life and remembers a childhood trip to the circus which prompted a dream to be a stunt woman – and now 36 year old Ginger decides she wants to be ‘The UK’s most dangerous woman’ by performing treacherous stunts in front of an audience.
The show then turns into a chaotic farce with audience participation, an experiment with Coke, Mentos and a mini trampoline (which causes some explosive bodily noises!) all building to the final crescendo of a huge stunt involving a canon and some packing peanuts; which aided by some fantastic trickery is a wonder to witness. Ginger has written, directed and produced this whole show herself and her hard work really pays off. This is a high camp show, full of classic drag style jokes with some heartfelt moments of reflection from Ginger. There are some original songs from Bourgeois & Maurice with pop stylings that fit well and give Ginger a chance to show off a spectacular singing voice.
The highlights of the evening are the moments where Ginger interacts with the audience, choosing to pick the bravest person in the room by shining a torch out into the audience and seeing who looks like they might do well on stage. Ginger also joins the audience to watch the test run of her final stunt and these moments give us a real view of Ginger and you feel an even bigger connection with her during these sections.
Some small technical issues such as a delayed start and sound quality in the latter parts of the show were overcome with ease, showing what a true professional Ginger is, being able to carry on with full energy and not letting it get in the way of the show.
This is one of the best drag shows I have seen in some time. It’s so different to what we have come to expect from Drag Queens of recent years and it is not hard to see why Ginger Johnson has shot to the top of the drag scene. This is the perfect high camp night out at the theatre!
You can book tickets to Ginger Johnson Blows Off!, here.
Review by Rosie
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