KNEES UP!

New Theatre Royal Portsmouth

★★★

“Portsmouth’s cabaret and drag scene is clearly thriving, and Knees Up! was a glittering celebration of its wild, weird, and wonderful talents”

Knees Up! from queer theatre company Downtown Pompey promised high-energy, over-the-top entertainment – and it delivered. With a line-up bursting with local drag royalty and a headline performance from cabaret icon Joe Black, the show combined camp, kitsch, and a touch of chaos in the best possible way.

The evening opened with a thoughtful surprise: poet and visual artist Majid Dhana appeared in one of the theatre’s boxes to read a witty and reflective poem on creative expression and community. An unexpected but inspired start, it set the stage for a night where anything could happen – and often did.

Bradley Jago took to the stage, beginning what seemed to be a solo rendition of Downtown until the red velvet curtain parted to reveal the Solent Gay Men’s Chorus, kicking off the night with a heart-warming moment.

Hosts The Fabulous Josh and Cherry Liquor set the tone with their anything-can-happen dynamic. Their 16-year friendship gave them licence to fire playful jabs at each other’s dazzling outfits (The Fabulous Josh in a shimmering silver jumpsuit, Cherry Liquor slinking onto the stage in a sequined dress) and drag acts. While some scripted jokes didn’t quite land, their off-the-cuff banter crackled with energy. Taking inspiration from Saturday night telly, the duo reminisced about old game and talent shows before settling onto a sofa – alongside The Fabulous Josh’s mother-in-law and mum – to watch the evening’s acts unfold. The line-up featured a mix of established and emerging artists, the latter nurtured through Downtown Pompey’s Arts Council-funded community work.

Nathan Shay, one of the emerging talents, stepped into the spotlight as a Pierrot-style mime, performing to a spoken-word track before transitioning into a dramatic lip-sync. As they shed elements of their costume, they theatrically removed their “heart” and “entrails,” handing them to the mothers on the sofa before revealing a striking bodysuit adorned with muscles and bones. Kirsty Mitchell, another emerging artist, is a support worker by day and comedian by night. In the second half, she delivered an entertaining stand-up set drawing on experiences of addiction, sobriety, working-class life, and, of course, Pompey. Her sharp observations and natural comedic timing won over the audience.

The evening featured two stylish lip-syncing drag acts, each bringing its own distinct flair. Cherry Liquor captivated the audience with a cheeky double bill of performances, including a playful rendition of Tropical Heatwave, exuding a Marilyn Monroe-inspired allure. Adding to the spectacle, Portsmouth-based drag artist Azure Thang and the Synchettes, a quartet of dancers, infused the night with a mix of comedic slapstick and polished choreography. Meanwhile, Tayris Mongardi, the self-proclaimed Powerhouse of Colour and queen of Afro-punk camp, dazzled in silver, delivering a high-energy set that seamlessly blended dance and lip-sync artistry.

Beyond drag, Knees Up! showcased a diverse range of performances from Portsmouth’s vibrant arts community. The Portsmouth Chinese Dancing Group brought elegance and tradition with their three beautifully executed numbers. The Solent Gay Men’s Chorus opened the second act with a medley featuring The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the Spice Girls’ Spice Up Your Life, Madonna’s Like a Prayer, Radiohead’s Creep, and Kylie Minogue’s Your Disco Needs You. Spanning generations, their enthusiasm and choreography made them a joy to watch.

Joe Black’s headline performance, closing the first half, was the undisputed highlight of the evening. A true Portsmouth original, he was a local character long before his cabaret fame, recalling how he once strolled the streets with his cat in tow. His signature mix of vaudeville, musical comedy, and devilish wit had the audience in stitches. He delivered hauntingly hilarious renditions of Spice Up Your Life and When I’m Cleaning Windows, re-imagined in the style of Mack the Knife in a 1920s Weimar nightclub – equal parts macabre and magnificent. His tale of an ill-fated Halloween gig in a Newcastle nightclub, where he was not what the crowd expected, was a comedic standout, culminating in a dramatic recreation of the moment he “wished he was dead,” performing Marlene Dietrich’s Falling in Love Again, complete with DJ sound effects from the night. He rounded off his set with a deliciously demented send-up of Edith Piaf’s Je Ne Regrette Rien with Bill Burnett’s I Regret Everything.

The show ended on a high with a grand finale, as The Fabulous Josh and Cherry Liquor showcased their vocal talents and comedic timing, leading the Synchettes, Azure Thang, and Tayris Mongardi in a rousing rendition of Hey Big Spender from Sweet Charity.

While the show revelled in its chaotic, anything-goes spirit, some shifts in style and tone between acts felt uneven, and at over three hours, the energy occasionally dipped. However, Knees Up! never lost its sense of fun, with an audience more than willing to embrace the ride. Portsmouth’s cabaret and drag scene is clearly thriving, and Knees Up! was a glittering celebration of its wild, weird, and wonderful talents.

KNEES UP!

New Theatre Royal Portsmouth

Reviewed on 22nd March 2025

by Ellen Cheshire

Previously reviewed at this venue:

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST | ★★★★ | December 2024

KNEES UP!

KNEES UP!

KNEES UP!