Review: TUCK SHOP WEST END - Ginny Lemon, Garrick Theatre
Founded in 2018, Christopher D. Clegg’s TUCK SHOP has gone from strength to strength, making herstory as the first Drag Cabaret Show to take over the West End’s Garrick Theatre for two whole weeks.
The TUCK SHOP was opened by Ginny Lemon and Friends. Squad Goals.
Ginny Lemon is a Humble Icon and that is said with every sense of irony and humility I can muster. This walking, talking oxymoron claimed the West End stage as their home and invited you in for a drink.
Ginny (ginnylemon69) is catty, charming, endearing and witty. Each original number is an avant-garde dose of reality. The song about biscuits is a bop. Fact.
Ginny’s friends are a strange and diverse selection of the human population. Each act, each artist oozes charisma and curious sex appeal, whilst covering all aspects of the art that is drag.
Midgitte Bardot’s spoken word piece is a master class of comedy timing that has you curling your toes in discomfort, whilst holding your breath in excitement and anticipation of the next line.
Yshee Black’s chaotic Dreamgirls lip sync delivered such energy that the audience were on the edge of their seats. This queen delivers the most with the least and we (the collective audience) are here for it.
Sharon Le Grand taught us that lyrics are irrelevant and context is key in delivering an entire 3 minute+ song only using the word handbag. The longer it went on, the more enjoyable it became.
Special mention has to go to the incredible vocal powerhouse that is Fatt Butcher. The battle for queer rights is on-going and they took a moment to appreciate the distance that has been covered, followed by a spine tingling rendition of Simon and Garfunkels ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.
Ginny Lemon and Friends was a moment and a strong start to the TUCK SHOP programme. If this is a sign of what’s to come, then it isn’t for the faint hearted. It is Loud, Sweaty, Chaotic, Joyful, Glamorous and Liberating. It’s a feast for the senses that should not be missed.
Tickets for the tuck shop are available here with a 25% discount if you book 4 shows or more.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Alanna Boden