★★★★

“clever, funny, and meticulously crafted”

Adam Riches said of this show that the aim is for the audience to “walk into a room where you genuinely don’t know what it’s going to be” and as that, the show is a resounding success. Though you also walk out not knowing quite what you’ve watched.

Adam Riches and John Kearns are Edinburgh Fringe legends, and beloved faces on the comedy circuit. Kearns is regularly cited by other stand-ups as being their favourite comedian. These are two comics who are clearly fascinated with dissecting entertainment, exploring what makes jokes and performances funny. So perhaps in this way it makes total sense for them to impersonate renowned light entertainment double act Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.

I confess that I was unfamiliar with Ball and Boe’s work, but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the show. Riches and Kearns pored through the history and careers of Ball and Boe, ready to bring their impersonations to the stage. The show is packed with references, and nods to specific Ball and Boe moments. It’s an incredible success that the show works, even if you’re not a fan of Ball and Boe, though I imagine being more aware of their careers would make it even better.

The piece is structured as a pre-show work-in-progress of a national tour, which Ball and Boe are still ironing out. There are musical numbers, snippets of games and formats, and lots of backstage bickering.

Riches plays Ball as a schmoozy, slightly sleazy, slick entertainer with a passionate hatred of Michael Bublé. Kearns brings a tragic desperation and earnestness to his portrayal of Boe which is strangely moving. The performances are respectful, but witty and warm. It’s less caricature and more character acting. Riches and Kearns are both strong actors and bring the men to life with vigour.

The show is clever, funny, and meticulously crafted. It riffs on ideas about the art of the cover song, the fan letters Ball and Boe receive, what kinds of brand sponsorship they might get, and the idea for a new show. It’s silly and fun but the relationship between the men is emotionally real. It’s the first time Riches and Kearns have worked together as a duo, but their chemistry is electric, trusting one another with the limelight and playing off the other’s energy. Perhaps, we’re looking at a future Ball and Boe level partnership.

It’s a fresh and original piece which interrogates the very essence of entertainment. But it’s also packed with solidly good gags, and at its heart is a charming story of two best friends navigating the entertainment industry together.

GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! at the Soho Theatre

★★★

“Ginger is at her best when she is ad- libbing with the crowd or sharing tales from her life”

Ginger Johnson Blows Off! is a one-woman show from Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson which explores risk taking, pushing yourself and living up to expectations. Ginger explains that winning Drag Race had been her dream for as long as she could remember and – since her victory – has been trying to find a new goal to occupy her time. She explains that to work out her next step, she needs to be brave, and so decides to become a daredevil to help get the creative juices flowing.

Despite a run time of 70 minutes, the show does drag on (pardon the pun). Ginger attempts three ‘death-defying’ stunts – ingesting Mentos and Coca Cola, playing Russian Roulette with thumb tacks, and being shot out of a cannon (but not really) – and each segment slightly outstays its welcome, the first two becoming particularly repetitive.

Ginger is at her best when she is ad-libbing with the crowd or sharing tales from her life and general musings. She comes alive when an audience member who works at the British Library joins her on stage – making quick and hilarious quips which enchant the audience far more than any of the scripted content. This is no surprise – Ginger was the in-house emcee for performance collective Sink the Pink for many years, perfecting the art of audience engagement.

Ginger also sings two original songs written by cabaret legends Bourgeois and Maurice which break up the show nicely. Moreover, the drag queen takes the time to address more serious issues, specifically TERFs and the recent riots. She takes digs at JK Rowling and Tony Robinson as well as the government’s inaction in these times of crises. Again, Ginger is great here – showing real heart and passion amongst all the silliness.

Ginger – as expected – looks fantastic. She wears a sparkly purple and blue leotard, reminiscent of the outfits of daredevils past. Her hair is a glorious mountain of ginger curls, never falling out of place despite her energetic performance. They are no outfit changes – only a sparkly helmet worn for the grand finale offers any variety to her show look.

Staging is minimal but some of the props are mighty impressive, especially the giant cannon and her hilariously modified Drag Race sceptre – it is now also a vape! The lighting has no real impact – though some aggressive spotlights would have helped the play lean further into the stunt performance it is parodying. Ginger is also joined on stage by her stony-faced ‘Health and Safety Manager’ Jen throughout the show, who helps set up and clear each stunt. Jen nicely contrasts Ginger’s exuberance, and this is regularly played for laughs.

Ginger has no trouble getting the audience on board, even clambering into the dark stalls brandishing a torch on numerous occasions. However, Ginger Johnson Blows Off does not play to the drag queen’s strengths – her natural wit – so never quite hits the heights one might expect from such a seasoned performer.

BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY

Soho Theatre

★★★★

“clever, funny, and meticulously crafted”

BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY

Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 12th December 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Matt Stronge

Previously reviewed at this venue:

BALL & BOE

BALL & BOE

BALL & BOE

GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! at the Soho Theatre

★★★

“Ginger is at her best when she is ad- libbing with the crowd or sharing tales from her life”

GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF! at the Soho Theatre

Reviewed on 25th September 2024

by Flora Doble

Photography by Aimee McGhee

Previously reviewed at this venue:

GINGER JOHNSON

GINGER JOHNSON