Courtney Act Archives - North West End UK

20Aug

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

The Diana Mixtape – The Lowry

Succeeding a world premiere in London, The Diana Mixtape makes a Royal Visit to the North for a limited, three-day run. This concert-style jukebox of a Di-opic declares a need “to set the record straight”, centring on the People’s Princess’ turbulent relationship with Charles the Third. Five drag queens share the titular role as they blast through a contemporary pop playlist of female anthems. Photo: Harry Elletson It starts out strong with the queens delivering fast-paced, irreverent comedy as a lovestruck Lady Di meets her future husband for the first time. Well-chosen songs promptly introduce the audience to other characters: Elizabeth II- played by Keala Settle- rules the stage with Commander. Meanwhile, the sensational Lucinda Lawrence demands undivided attention as Camilla s...

The Diana Mixtape – HERE at Outernet

A “riotous royal romp” as reverent as it is raunchy, The Diana Mixtape is a hoot and a half! A jukebox musical as much as a drag concert, the show chronicles Diana’s life and love lustily. Photo: Harry Elletson Drag superstars Courtney Act, Priyanka, Divina De Campo, Rosé, and Kitty Scott-Claus shine as various iterations of the people’s princess each uniquely dolled up for the occasion and flanked by an inexhaustible army of backup dancers. Keala Seattle is resplendently regal as Queen Elizabeth but of the supporting cast it is Lucinda Lawrence who stuns and strikes as Camilla, a character so potently satirized that the audience boos hysterically from her first lighting cue. Both funny and fierce, this experience is a glorious camp celebration of both the real Diana and her actua...

The Adventures of Pinocchio – Bradford Alhambra

Next year Bradford becomes the UK City of Culture so what better way to prepare for that momentous year then joining local legend Billy Pearce for his 24th panto. Pinocchio is a new show for both this theatre and panto giant Crossroads, so it makes sense to launch it with Billy leading a strong company and getting the audience revved up from the moment he came on. Billy may be in his seventh decade, but he retains an infectious energy, and razor sharp comic timing honed by his years slogging round the club circuit. He’s also the king of the fart gag, much to the delight of the young kids laughing their heads off alongside their loved ones. He’s equally at home with the corny gags that are so central to a satisfying panto experience, and the smutty asides that go over the heads of...