La JohnJoseph: Practically Royalty at Hackney Attic

Given that the country is coasting along quite nicely right now (right being the apt term) and people are full of joy, skipping down the streets merrily into their overpriced studio flats after a satisfying ‘zero-hours contract’ shift. It’s quite startling to think anyone would even think it’s a good time for a show based upon political satire. I jest of course. My sarcasm knows no bounds. It’s the PERFECT time. 

 


Practically Royalty is a deliciously sardonic show starring half-woman, half-hostess trolley La JohnJoseph, who is on a mission to make Britain great again and tackle the kind of modern day woes that are always firmly at the top of every aristocrats ‘To do’ list, such as immigration, unemployment and housing (there goes my sarcasm again).

JohnJoseph throws himself into the role of the neurotic and far right character with gusto, and delivers a scarily authentic and believable performance. These kind of people do actually exist.

Assisted throughout by cousin Josh on the keys, the musical numbers are varied (ranging from Love Will Save the Day to There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis) and all are performed with lashings of drama and/or kitsch.

Without wanting to sound too Simon Cowell, JohnJoseph knows how to make a song his own. I found myself playing ‘guess the song’ in my head in parts. I love it when an artist can do this. And do it damn well.

The writing and use of evocative language and analogies is impressive too. Full of repugnance, and all relatable because, well, practically all of it is true.

Millionaire politicians and public figures do make false promises to get into office *cough tax credits cough*, reading from cue-cards like lobotomised grinning robots. JohnJoseph mirrored all of this, perfectly. As for the sub-plot and finale. Well, I won’t give it away. But my ribs hurt from laughing.

Judy Garland; the afterlife; clairvoyance. Surreal and brilliant.

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