Leslie Jordan returns to the West End in FRUIT FLY

Leslie Jordan

back in the West End in

Fruit Fly

Award-winning Hollywood star Leslie Jordan, one of the funniest raconteurs in show business and hailed by Paul O’Grady as “living proof that the best things come in small packages”, stormed the West End two years ago, earning rave reviews and nightly standing ovations for his one-man show, Leslie Jordan My Trip Down The Pink Carpet.

Now he’s returning to London with his hilarious follow up show, Fruit Fly, acclaimed in New York and Los Angeles, which will get its European premiere at Leicester Square Theatre from Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 March.

Press night is Tuesday 12 March at 7.30pm.

He will also make his north of England debut at the Lowry, Salford on Monday March 18 at 7.30pm.

This time the pint-sized pixie - labelled “an hysterical spitfire” and “comic gold” - asks the question: “Do gay men really become their Mothers?”.

What follows over 90 hilarious minutes of jaw-dropping anecdotes, outrageous revelations and revealing family photos is the story of Leslie’s own experience growing up a cissy boy in the red Deep South and how his mother, Miss Peggy Sue, an indomitable steel magnolia, continues to inspire him today. Fruit Fly outlines the early years of Leslie's life, growing up with his mother, father, twin sisters and grandma in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There's a big emphasis on the puberty years and how he segued into doing drag for the first time at 17. "Mother, I've made a really important decision," he announces. "I'm not going to college. I'm going to move to Atlanta and become a female impersonator." "I don't even know what that is," his mom replies wearily. "You have exhausted me. I give up. I am just glad your daddy's not here to witness this."

Leslie Jordan became a household name around the globe through his scene-stealing appearances as Beverley Leslie, the nemesis of Karen Walker, on Will & Grace. He won a coveted Emmy Award as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series and viewers in their hundreds of millons lapped it up as Leslie and co-star Megan Mullally traded barbs and insulted as the worst of enemies. However, not many people know that his most famous role was originally written for Dynasty star Joan Collins, but she refused to have her wig torn off in a fight scene. Leslie also made memorable appearances on TV series Ally McBeal, Boston Legal, Monk and Murphy Brown, as well as the cult classic, Sordid Lives alongside Golden Girl Rue McClanahan and Olivia Newton John. He had a memorable cartwheeling cameo in the acclaimed Academy Award-winning film The Help as Emma Stone's boss.

Director David Galligan has worked with Leslie Jordan several times. He also directed My Trip Down The Pink Carpet, his Christmas show, Deck Them Halls, Ya’ll and Like a Dog on Linoleum.

Rave reviews from press and celebrity fans for Leslie’s West End debut My Trip Down The Pink Carpet

“A brilliant feelgood monologue about self-acceptance performed with rocket-powered impish panache...brought to life vividly by an enthusiastic gift for mimicry”

Evening Standard **** (4 stars)

“A superb show that is engaging, enthralling and full of fun. Don’t miss the chance to spend 90 minutes in this man’s company”

The Public Reviews **** (4 stars)

“The incredible Leslie Jordan should be available on the NHS” Paul O'Grady

“The Schofields want to adopt him, we LOVE him” Philip Schofield

“I love him and want to put him in my pocket!” Katy Perry

“The fabulous and funny Leslie Jordan” Barbara Windsor

Leslie Jordan’s Fruit Fly will be supported by

The Supreme Fabulettes

The Supreme Fabulettes are Britain’s top all male vocal harmony girl group. Miss Vanilla Lush, Miss Vicki Vivacious and Miss Maddison Lee return to Leicester Square after two sold-out Christmas shows and becoming internet sensations with more than 100,000 Youtube views for the Boy George-directed video for their first single You Ruined My Xmas. The Supreme Fabulettes will be performing their new single, A Drag Queen is a Cowboy’s Best Friend, written by Boy George and John Themis.

LISTINGS INFO

Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatre Ltd (LIAT)

in association with REACTION PRODUCTIONS presents

Leslie Jordan

starring in

Fruit Fly

Leicester Square Theatre

6 Leicester Place

LONDON

WC2H 7BX

Tuesday 12 March - Saturday 16 March at 7.30pm

Press night: Tuesday 12 March at 7.30pm