The Arts Theatre in London’s West End is full of glow sticks and large glittery letters, and frankly, it has never looked more fabulous! 

Queenz - The Show with Balls is performing a strictly limited, two nights only run in the capital, as part of their 2022/2023 tour, which is currently running until April next year. 

Some may recognise this fabulous five from their time on ITV’s musical game show Walk the Line, which screened in 2021, where they first wowed the nation with their exceptional vocal talent. The current tour showcases triple threat drag at its finest - they can dance, they can captivate an audience, and every single one of them has an exceptional voice! 

The hour and a half long show features Belle DuBall (Gold Queen), Miss Dia Montay (White Queen), Candy Caned (Pink Queen), Billie Eyelash (Rock Queen) and ZeZe Van Cartier (Blue Queen) in all their non-binary finery! Each queen wears colour coordinated outfits, with just the right amount of sequins and feathers one would hope from a full scale drag show! The musical numbers are interspersed with warm and funny audience interaction, primarily lead by Miss Dia Montay, who is a natural hostess. An informative lesson about the history of drag culture and an emotional nod to the Queens that have paved the way for modern drag artistes are thought provoking additions to the mostly frivolous evening of entertainment. 

The song choices pay homage to some of the greatest pop divas of the age including The Spice Girls, Whitney Huston, Lady Gaga and Shakira, and there is a very clever musical medley, with amended lyrics and comedy props which has the audience in stitches. 

The Queenz are justifiably proud that they shun the trend of lip syncing, which is prevalent in modern drag culture. During solo songs or moments in ensemble numbers each performer gets their chance to shine, to impart their individual character and to engage with the receptive and appreciative audience. 

The set is very simple, the Letters “QUEENZ” spelled out in sequins, lit with different coloured LED’s for each number, at one point five stools are used for a slower number, very reminiscent of 90s boyband performances - the Queenz even stand and walk downstage on the key change! The lighting feels a little heavy handed in places- audience blinders are overused, and at times the stage is a little dark, but in the main the use of bright colours and moving heads adds to the party atmosphere. 

We laughed, we cried, we sang, we danced, and we came away feeling all warm and fuzzy.

A fiercely fabulous show. 

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Sarah Brown

Queenz - The Show with Balls is touring until April 2023. Full tour schedule and tickets are available here.