★★★★★ by Dylan B Jones
Every so often, a performer comes along who’s not so much a mere distraction or entertaining interlude, as a force of nature. Dina is a force of nature – more specifically, she’s a hurricane.
To say she’s a drag performer wouldn’t quite be accurate. She’s more…a concept? A hilarious and stomping assault on the senses, with no filter and seemingly no inhibitions. In the character she builds as an innocent and eccentric lady who grew up in Vegas, she is utterly absorbing and totally convincing.
At times, there’s a certain tragedy to her – she’s forgetful and regretful, often conscious of her own flaws but never apologetic. The performance has echoes of a cult internet fave, Drew Droege, particularly in his impersonation of Hollywood legend Tanya Roberts. But even that doesn’t really come close. Dina Martina is a whole different level of mess, in a way that’s both touching and side-splittingly hilarious.
Bumbling around the stage in boat-sized kitten heels (which she quickly kicks off) she alternates between her own ear-shatteringly and deliberately terrible renditions of classic songs and comedic monologues that go on. And on. And on.
She’s like your forgetful aunt who leaves the kettle on, and that’s the point. The most sparklingly hilarious moments are when the character has a sudden stab of self-awareness, things like pausing halfway through a diatribe about clowns who perform for earthquake victims and suddenly saying “I’ve just remembered that…I should probably change the subject.”
This show is not for everyone and, as is perhaps the case with any eccentric comedy show, there were a few ashen faces in the audience. It is for anyone who appreciates the absurd, anyone who knows what it’s like to be the one in your group of friends who cackles at something dark then feels self-conscious when no-one else does. When there’s a performer on stage in front of you who understands and connects with that, it makes for a very special show.
Dina Martina’s Forgotten But Not Gone is at The Soho Theatre until Saturday 26th October. Tickets available at Sohotheatre.com.
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