Bursting onto the stage of the Leicester Square Theatre and opening their brand new show with their rendition of ‘I’m Every Woman” The Supreme Fabulettes in ‘Viva La Drag’ show that they are just that.
Taking on some of the biggest and best female musical voices from a multitude of musical genres, spanning Motown, pop, country and more.
The cast: Vicki Vivacious, Vanilla Lush, Portia De Fosse, Silver Summers and Sheila Simmonds work beautifully together in what feels like much more of an actual production this time round. They, together, tell the story, through song and LOTS of tongue-in-cheek dialogue, of the Fabulettes’ road to fame.
The show moves swiftly enough to keep you constantly engaged, and the staging, choreography and lighting all complement each other beautifully.
The musical parts are spliced together with the comedy interventions of former QVC presenter and Fabulettes drag mother, Sheila Simmonds, who is the shining star of the show.
Looking and acting like a ‘female’ version of Bob Downe, Simmonds minces around the stage doling out one liners and Werther’s Originals. Her improvisation, mixed with clever writing, makes her an instant hit. So much so, that by the latter part of the show the crowd were chanting her name every time she appeared. I’m sensing a cult following for our Sheila.
Vocally, all four Fabulettes, are uniquely proficient. The stand out would have to be Silver Summers’ performance of Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’. You could hear a pin drop – until she hit that last note. Cue the roar of the audience. Visually, they look sensational up there. You can never have too much sequin or kitsch, in my opinion.
All of the group’s performances entertained thoroughly, apart from a small lull during the country section, but I’d gladly go to see this show again – not something I say very often. The story itself feels a lot like the Viva Forever plot, but what this show does better is not take itself too seriously. And it’s fun! That and the fact there were no stifled yawns…
Viva La Drag puts drag cabaret firmly back onto the mainstream map and onto the big stage, where it belongs. A great cast, stunning costumes and the ideal balance of music and comedy.
• The Supreme Fabulettes
• Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX
• www.supremefabulettes.com
