The Familyyy Fierce tsunamied all the stereotypes and clichés of gay pantomime out of the surf last week with ‘Sleeping Beauty’; a show of original invention, piccalilli wit, and sheer theatrical style.
Aimed at adults and big kids alike, directed by Holestar, and starring well-known scene performers of the Fierce clan, like Bourgeoise, Rubyyy Jones and matriarch Meth, the effort that had been poured into the production was clear from the start.
Inventive twists in presentation incorporated intriguing staging techniques, such as the mother and father of Sleeping Beauty being played by the same person from opposite profiles. This and other little twists throughout the performance, added a feeling of dramatic imagination to the proceedings.
Rubyyy Jones gave an endearing main performance as the eponymous Sleeping Beauty herself, imbuing the character with charm and abject likeability. Bourgeoisie and his two merry accomplices were suitably fabulous as the three good faeries who raise Sleeping Beauty from girlhood. And Meth, of course, stole the show whenever she was on stage as the cacklingly villainous Methnificent, complete with a couple of Angie digs.
Prince Lo-Brow was humorously played by Lo-Lo Brow, with a big package in her pants. The script managed to stay true to the time-honoured traditions of panto – ‘behind you!’ – whilst injecting a fresh and topical wit to the characters’ spirited lines. Most importantly, the show itself gelled and flowed well, engaging the spectator, no doubt in large part due to Holestar’s direction.
From past experience, naming no names, we’ve come to be a little apprehensive about gay pantomimes; often they seem to be the same crude cock jokes and tired innuendo-based character names. Meth’s Familyyy Fierce managed to carry on the revolutionary changes in London drag they’re making to the gay scene, and successfully factor this originality into a genuinely enjoyable show.
It’s hardly life-changing art, and it’s not going to get the magma of your deepest emotions stirring, but it will have you laughing and invested in what you see before you. And that, my dears, is the secret of good pantomime!
• The Black Cap, 171 Camden High Street, NW1 7JY
