Review: DEATH DROP, The Alexandra Birmingham (UK tour)
Photo credit: Matt Crockett
As soon as you sit in your seat, you are hit by a fantastic 90’s vibe with some absolute classics being played, some of which are quite nostalgic for those of a certain age. Based in 1991 on Tuck Island, Death Drop is a wonderfully delicious camp murder mystery farce. The production, which originated in London’s West End, ends it UK tour in Birmingham this week.
Starring and written by Holly Stars, who takes on the role of the three Bottomley Sisters, Brie, Blue & Spread…….”three peas in a pod named after cheese”, is the absolute star of the show. The comic timing, the mannerisms and the hilarious dialogue makes for a wonderful performance.
Stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (Vinegar Strokes), Australia (Karen from Finance), America (Willam) and All Stars (Ra’Jah O’Hara) also give stellar performances. The plot has a very familiar “Mousetrap” vibe and you may well uncover the killer if you’ve ever seen this Agatha Christie classic.
Lady von Fistenberg (Vinegar Strokes) hosts a dinner party in honour of Charles & Diana’s 10th wedding anniversary (not forgetting we are in 1991) and invites a mixture of different characters who each bring their own stories. Meteorologist and television star Summer Raines (Ra’Jah O’Hara) arrives with the very chauvinistic MP Rich Whiteman (Richard Energy) and they soon lock horns over the MP’s distinct dislike of the female species. We also meet Phil Maker played spectacularly by Georgia Frost. The portrayal of this highly sexed character is hilarious on many levels and it soon transpires that he has met Summer Raines and Shazza before in a more intimate setting.
Shazza, a pop sensation, played by Willam is a complete vision of rainbow hair and incredible outfits. Her signature song ‘Oopsie Whoopsie’ is a real crowd pleaser and has the whole cast singing and dancing along in their inimitable way.
In Act 2, after a couple of the characters have reached their grizzly end, the story starts to unravel. It transpires that Lady von Fistenberg is in fact an imposter, by the name of ‘Faye Host’…….you’ll get the pun shortly! She is told to bring all the guests to the ‘Shantay Manor’ on the pretence of Princess Diana being at the soiree. Joining the party is a detective dressed in a trench coat and the most amazing boots (more like stilts!), however after a few more grizzly (completely hilarious) deaths, it transpires that this detective is not quite who they all thought they were, however we won’t spoil that surprise!
With original songs by Flo & Joan, these add a further comic element to the show, with the most wonderful 90’s references throughout. The whole show embraces the wonderful LGBTQIA+ community and to see so many queer performers on stage is a complete delight!
So, make sure you sashay your way down to the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham to catch this show before it finishes the tour on 28 November. Just be aware of the killer crispy pancakes!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Emma Rowley
To book tickets for Death Drop in Birmingham this week, please click here.