Gig Review: The Supreme Fabulettes - Leicester Square Theatre ✭✭✭✭
The Supreme Fabulettes
Review by Claire Spence
Saturday 16th February: A self-confessed fag-hag, I have attended a few drag-shows
in my time, but none quite like this. The Supreme Fabulettes are an all-male
female close harmony vocal group consisting of Glaswegian red-head Miss Maddison Lee, Nordic Blonde Miss Vanilla Lush and Cornish Brunette Miss Vicki Vivacious. Their Glee-style
song mash-ups and renditions pay homage to a range of female vocalists both old
and new ranging from The Andrews Sisters, Adele, Alison Moyet, Beyonce and,
of course, The Supremes. Unlike most drag acts, the songs are all sung live, as
demonstrated when Miss Vivacious’ microphone fell over during an on-stage
costume change and – unlike Betty Boop and Milli Vanilli - the vocals did not
keep singing. The vocal arrangements by Terry
Ronald are, at times, stupendous and neatly packaged within slick
choreography by Katie Ella Hardwicke.
The ladies look ravishing and a series of costume changes are instantly
achieved by some clever designs by Stevie
Stewart. The show is brought together harmoniously by Kylie Minogue’s Creative Director, William Baker and includes The Fabulettes’ new single, A Drag
Queen is a Cowboy’s Best Friend, written by and video directed by Boy George.
The Leicester Square Theatre is well suited for this
production, a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square
on a Saturday night. From the first impressions of the small entrance, the
tight stairwell and tiny foyer/bar you'd be right in thinking this venue is tiny.
But step through the doors and you enter a tardis of an auditorium, a cross
between Madame Jojo’s and a bingo hall. The ample stage is framed by red velvet
curtains and long-tinsel trimmings and towards the back of the auditorium are
two bars which serve drinks throughout the show. Which help in increasing the
merriment.
The Supreme
Fabulettes are an internet sensation and it is easy to see why as they
combine humorous vocal with visual gags. During an interlude there was a bit of
whipped cream and ‘girl’-and-‘girl’-on-boy action (with American model Johnny Hazzard making his London stage ‘acting’
debut). As expected, most of the jokes are sexual in their nature, and are not
for the faint-hearted, so be warned. The most hilarious part of the evening is
a cartoon VT of The Fabulettes fighting battle to return the kidnapped weave of
Miss Vanilla Lush and the highlight of the show is special guest Sammy Dinneen’s act where he striped
his shirt whilst off performing a handstand on stilts… he then balances his hat
from his head to his foot to his head again. My description cannot justify how
awesome his act is and his athleticism puts some Olympic medallists to shame. There was also plenty of audience participation during the show
and at one point I was on my feet clapping away.
These girls never fail to entertain and you leave with your
spirits lifted! So if you want a fun-filled alternative night out I would recommend
this show.
4 stars ✭✭✭✭
LISTINGS INFO
The Supreme Fabulettes
Leicester Square Theatre
6 Leicester Place
LONDON WC2H 7BX
Box office: 08448 733433
Saturday 16 March at 9.45pm
Tickets: £19.50
The Supreme Fabulettes are also supporting:
Leslie Jordan – Fruit Fly
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 March
at 7.30pm (30-minute show)
Manchester
The Lowry
Pier 8 Salford Quays
M50 3AZ
Monday 18 March at 7.30pm
(30-minute show)
Tickets: £19.50
Box office: 0843 208 6000 www.thelowry.com
