Tonight, the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow is going off like a frog in a sock, transformed into a kind of panto/ queer club space. Written and directed by Eurovision star David Ducasse, Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens is a cheeky and irreverent take on traditional panto.
Amelia Cavagan is a fine Snow White, tickling the tropes of fairy tale females into submission: she’s unimpressed with her character’s lack of agency, eschewing the advances of sleazy Prince Albert ( Danny Emmerson-Ducasse) and choosing instead to go with the camaraderie of the drag queens (more of whom, later.)
The requisite “boo hiss” moments are also present and correct here too. Deborah Taylor-Smith relishes her role as the Wicked Queen, ramping up the camp villainy with her poisoned apple . She also has a beautiful singing voice, performing a barnstorming cover of Conchita Wurst’s ballad Rise Like A Phoenix.
Of course, it’s peppered with pop culture references, from Taylor Swift to Grindr hook-ups, and filthy one-liners. The enchanted forest is called Doggers’ Wood, festooned with condoms and discarded underwear. The adult humour is ramped up in this segment.
This is where supporting actors David Potts (cracking a whip as well as cracking wise) and the titular drag queens come in. Bitchy, portrayed by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Michael Marouli, doesn’t miss a beat, and her cake recipe is filled with innuendo. She’s ably assisted by the other drag queens: Ophelia Balls, Andi Martine, Janice Dickinyouson, Brenda LaBeau, fellow Drag Race UK star Tomara Thomas and Miss Dixie Swallows, all fulfilling the sass and zingers.
Sure, it’s a little unwieldy and the jokes don’t always land, but it’s all performed with such energy and great harmonies, and there’s real heart here. What more do you want to chase away the January blues?
Touring across the UK until January 12th.
Hit The North 