Garrick Theatre, London 29 July 2021 (Tuck Shop West End until 8 August 2021)
Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith
4****
The Tuck Shop West End is a two week takeover of the Garrick Theatre showcasing drag and queer performers. Holly Stars, writer and star of Death Drop recently at the Garrick Theatre, headlines and comperes a night of comedy performances. The performers were Mary O’Connell, Glew, Charlie George, Indy Nile, Kate Butch, and Flo and Joan.
The evening consisted of stand up, drag, stand up in drag, musical stylings, dance, and a few impromptu performances by reluctant members of the audience. Each performer was uniquely surprising, meaning that you never knew what was coming or if you would be wrenched out of the audience to tell jokes in return for a can of chick peas.
The stand up from Charlie George and Mary O’Connell was hilarious and relatable, both doing bits on growing up, and life during the pandemic times. There were musical lip syncs from Glew giving us some physical comedy and a change in tempo. A highlight for me were Kate Butch trying to find a partner with a question and answer portion that was not dissimilar to the game Guess Who, followed by a live performance of Wuthering Heights in a huge glittery dress while gliding across the stage in some surprise heelys. The drag king Indy Nile performed a very good piece of spoken word which involved the audience whispering Semi Skimmed Milk loudly much to the amusement of everyone involved. Lastly we were treated to the fantastic musical comedy stylings of sister duo Flo and Joan which was the perfect way to round out a brilliant night.
As we start to come out of lockdowns and we are able to go into clubs and venues, this run of performances reminds us that after 18 months of being inside and watching TV and comedy on Zoom, that going out and laughing at people in person is as important for us as it is for them. The Holly Stars Comedy Club was a real tonic and I hope to see all of the performers again whether it be on a West End stage or a fringe venue