In a packed-out King’s Arms, musical stand-up Holly Redford Jones’ tuneful contribution to Greater Manchester Fringe seeks to answer the question: where have all the lesbian bars gone?
Redford Jones instantly draws the audience in with a reassuring stage presence, achieving many laughs through the sardonic delivery of her musings. Social critique remains sharp as well as facetious throughout.
The show’s description promises many things- including a celebration of queer women of the past, present and future. It was therefore a missed opportunity for the piece to be noticeably light on sapphic content. Where did all the lesbian bars go? A brief history of the country’s venues- from the 1930s’ Gateways Club to London’s newest joint La Camionera– would have been a welcome inclusion.
With a soothing croon of a voice giving notes of Adele and Amy Winehouse, Redford Jones owns the soft rock genre through a host of magnificent covers. The titular song, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie and even a sample of the Ghostbusters theme are all spiced up through her easy-listening style that gets heads swaying.
Perhaps Holly should open a lesbian cabaret bar of her own!
‘I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar’ continues at Edinburgh Fringe Festival next month.
Reviewer: Scot Cunningham
Reviewed: 12th July 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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