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Peaches Christ’s Drag Becomes Her at Home

Peaches Christ’s Drag Becomes Her at Home

Review: Drag Becomes Her

By Glenn Meads

The glorious film Death Becomes Her is as camp as Christmas, and even though critics were not mad about it, the years have been kind as it has morphed into a real LGBTQ fan favourite, because there are so many quotable lines and scenes. Meryl Streep flounces across the set as Madeline Ashton and proves that there is more to her than the seriousness of Out of Africa and some of the Oscar bait she has starred in. 

As you begin to watch this delectable parody, you realise that this has all the ingredients for a full-blown off-Broadway musical. The shows stars Peaches Christ, Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCreme and Major Scales and is not only for fans of the Robert Zemeckis film, if you love Drag Race, then you will die laughing, also. 

Jinx Monsoon plays Ashton, the fading ‘star’ who wants to look younger. She has a rival, Helen Harp (BenDeLaCreme) who looks younger than she ever did. What’s her secret? If you know the marvellous movie, you know the answer. But, you will still enjoy the ride, as it never drags and the gags come thick and fast. 

I wondered how the producers would tackle the lack of special effects, as the film relies heavily on these to transform Madeline and Helen. But, never fear as here the focus is on physical comedy and Monsoon is great at transforming her body, to make you believe. Throw into the mix musical numbers, a set projected onto a huge screen, and many Drag Race references and you have all the ingredients for a bawdy and brilliant night out. 

Sure, the set is a bit on the cheap and cheerful side, but it suits the ‘rock up and put on a show’ feel because the cast revel in the ridiculousness of the lines from the original film, ad-libbing and improvising with glee. 

Major Scales’ Ernest is reminiscent of the brilliant John Waters, as he tries to be po-faced throughout, and Peaches Christ has a gorgeous part as Issafella Von Ramen Noodles and hams it up with real relish. BenDeLaCreme and Jinx Monsoon make the most wonderful double act and take the original text and turn it into a Bette/Joan Feud and it works wonderfully well. 

And Manchester Drag Queen Donna Trump is an absolute joy, particularly as Anna Nicole Smith, drunkenly rambling at a funeral and working the audience into a frenzy. 

If you are need of a genuinely funny night out, and you want to simply switch off and tune out from the rest of the world and revel in clever campery, then go and see Drag Becomes Her, as you will emerge from HOME grinning from ear to ear; the best non-surgical face lift money can buy. 

Drag Becomes Her is at HOME until 11th May. Book here: 

Published: 10-May-2019 (5394)

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