“Take it where it’s easy; shake it where it’s sleazy”
Camper than Rocky Horror, shinier than Starlight Express and with more glitter than G-A-Y on Pride night, Leicester Square Theatre’s Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens is THE show to catch for a dose of high camp tomfoolery this summer.
by Robin Foreman-Quercus | 14th August 2013
★★★★★
On the planet of Frottage III, a series of murders are taking place. One by one, the headline acts at the infamous Saucy Jack’s cabaret club are being picked off by the Sling Back Killer, named after his preferred method of killing – with the heel of a sequinned shoe. The Space Vixens (Jubilee Climax, Bunny Lingus and Anna Labia) are a sort-of intergalactic police force with fabulous outfits, glitter boots, and a vow to live and die by the Power of Disco, who arrive on Frottage III to find the culprit and bring disco back. And, believe me, they do.
The performers and staff at Saucy Jack’s are a fabulous bunch of misfits, all of whom are given full back stories and larger-than-life personalities. Jack De-Ath is the eponymous owner of Saucy Jack’s with a faded cabaret career. Mitch Maypole is the cocktail barman, with a sideline in erotic massage. Vulva Savannah is the club’s top billing, on her way to stardom with a leading role in the intergalactic soap opera Cleavage Valley. Booby Shevalle is a cocktail waitress who dreams of becoming a Space Vixen, and Sammy Sax is working his way up while dreaming of the day he finally meets an actual, real Space Vixen in the flesh.
Dr Willie Von Whackoff is a psychoanalyst studying the population of Saucy Jack’s, particularly Mitch who he takes a very close interest in. Mitch has a secret which Willie is desperate to uncover, and the moment of revelation is truly a sight to behold! Completing the character list are Chesty Prospects – a streetwise PVC and latex smuggler, Honey Tipps – Jack’s cabaret partner, and Shirley Tri-Star – a space trucker built for sin who bears an uncanny likeness to Chesty.
The casting is superb, featuring Olivier Award winner Leanne Jones, Jamie Birkett, Kate Malyon, Ralph Bogard, David Malcolm, Marcus Reeves, Nigel Thomas, Kristopher Bosch and Lisa Gorgin. It’s difficult to single any one out amongst a cast that complement each other this well – I just tried and ended up listing every member as worthy of special praise!
The Lounge at Leicester Square Theatre is superbly laid out with a catwalk, dancing pole and bar. Together with more disco-balls than I think I have ever seen in one place, this is all the setting needed to transport us to a world where disco, glitter boots and a Cosmic Screw rule supreme. Stuart Saint’s choreography is every bit as energetic as the rest of his direction, and superbly executed. This production thrives on Saint’s almost panto-like interpretation, which is more than ably complemented by Tom Barnes’ musical direction.
Don’t go along expecting high-brow intellectual theatre; this is fabulous, frivolous fun and DEFINITELY not one for the kids! Do go along expecting to get involved in a great musical that will leave you singing some very catchy songs for a long time to come.
SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS plays at the Leicester Square Theatre until 15 September. Tickets are £18.50 / £20.50 (Fri and Sat) from http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873491323/events
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