It’s been far too long since we headed out to one of our favourite out-of-Gayland bars, and this time the camp factor was ramped up 1000%.
Before we discuss the show, let’s talk food. A choice a Chrimbo lunches with all the trimmings and delicious deserts – this meal was absolutely fucking gorgeous. I make it a strict rule to only eat twice a year, but my plate was clean enough for the next diner to use by the time I’d licked that baby clean.
On to the performance – now, I’ve seen more pub cabaret than you can shake a pink feather boa at, and I can genuinely say I haven’t cackled this hard for a long while. Mzz Kimberley has ridiculous stage presence and a voice as powerful as any diva you’ll see treading the boards of the West End.
Ruby Venezuela was fabulously deadpan as the Fairy Queen, giving it whispering sarcasm and eye rolls so huge you worried they’d never again return to face the front. Son ofa TuTu was a joyously frenetic bundle of cheeky adlibs, naughtiness and Nigerian glamour, whilst the more avant garde A Man To Pet was equally fabulous.
He was allowed to fly free and incorporate his quirkier style into a more traditional pub panto – and it worked, adding just the right amount of off-kilter delight.
There was a point in the show’s second act where utter chaos was playing out before us. We suspect huge parts of Ruby Venezuela’s script were inadvertently thrown out like last year’s glass slippers, but that’s what pub panto is all about, surely?
Even if they went completely off book (i.e. lost the plot), the positive energy from these four charismatic performers resonated around the room and had most of us crying with laughter. I would never have put these four together, but they have great chemistry and each bring something different to the table.
Fairy Tales is playing on the 4th, 11th and 18th December – go and check it out.
• FaiRy Tales: A Cambria Pantomime: 27/11/11 @ 40 Kemerton Road, Camberwell, SE5 9AR
Words by Lee Dalloway
Photos by Joel Ryder
