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Send in the Clowns: Little Flop of Horrors is an original drag show full of life and raunchy energy.
We open the show with our four actors, (Fatt Butcher, Blu Romantic, Dahliah Rivers and Alanna Boden) entering the stage, handcuffed with paper rings.
They explain why they have been arrested and explain the show and what we can expect. They talk about how all the queer characters are always villains in musical theatre and how they will be showcasing that throughout the show.
Send in the Clowns: Little Flop of Horrors at Hope Mill Theatre
The show follows the four actors as they do their own stand-up sections while explaining why they have chosen their song. Each actor has chosen a topic that is relevant to them and happening in this world and their songs represented that topic very well.
I was highly moved by the courage and the compassion that was perpetuated throughout the first half. Starting us off is Alanna Boden who sang No Good Deed from Wicked.
Her speech was about the difference in political opinion and how one can be viewed as awful and the other good by society and by the media. She goes on to mention that no matter how good we are, there will always be a punishment from someone.
“A Show full of courage and compassion”
Secondly is Blue Romantic who sings Waving Through a Window from Dear Evan Hanson. Following the theme of evil queers, he talks about how Evan Hanson is actually an awful person, and he very easily got away with his terrible actions.
Thirdly, Dahliah Rivers sings Little Girls from Annie, and her segment is about drag queens around children and how the media and society have villainised them. And lastly, Fatt Butcher closed the first half with a stand-up section which took a very sad but refreshing turn. They mentioned many things about the current events and state of the world and how genuinely awful it is and how they wish one day, the world will be better.
A show filled with courage and compassion
They sang Maybe This Time from Cabaret. I was very close to bawling by the end of the first half. The second half was filled with belly laughs and huge audience participation. They retold the story of Little Shop of Horrors in a very creative way.
I have never seen the film nor the stage production so you can imagine my confusion. But I enjoyed it thoroughly. The audience loved it also as they were laughing along with me. There were some mistakes but that just added to the charm of the show.
The wonderful Hope Mill Theatre
If you have been to the Hope Mill Theatre, you know of the small space they have but also how wonderfully it can be utilised. The backdrop is a yellow piece of cloth which has been decorated with sparkly red lips, honouring Rocky Horror.
The actors made everything themselves, from the plant costumes to the plant puppet, to the flower wreath that hangs behind them. They are to be commended and applauded for their work. I believe everyone should go and watch this show.
In a time where the LGBTQIA+ community are so villainised and demonised, it is refreshing to see these brilliant four actors make light of the situation but still share their own personal experiences.
In a world where the media believes the LGBTQIA+ community perpetuates hate and violence, it was nice to see the truth of what drag shows can be, perpetuating love and compassion and understanding, showcasing what the world should be.
Tickets for Send in the Clowns: Little Flop of Horrors at Hope Mill Theatre
Send in the Clowns: Little Flop of Horrors is playing at the Hope Mill Theatre until the 18 th of September. Get your tickets here
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