ajhlovestheatre

GINGER JOHNSON BLOWS OFF!

written, directed and performed by Ginger Johnson 

songs by Bourgeois & Maurice

Soho Theatre, London – until 12 October 2024

https://sohotheatre.com/events/ginger-johnson-blows-off-2/

Not content with winning the fifth season of Drag Race UK and building up a devoted following, it turns out Ginger Johnson, the self-described “seven foot millennial Lucille Ball”, also harbours a deep seated desire to be a stunt woman, ever since being on a childhood trip to the circus and witnessing the glamorous, and not at all camp-sounding, Zaza being shot out of a cannon. That’s the starting premise for this riotous, ribald and altogether bonkers new show from the Geordie firebrand who bowls on atop a motorcycle like a garish amalgam of Evel Knievel, Denise Welch, Corrie’s Rita Fairclough and a Christmas tree. She’s a lot, the show’s a lot, the fun quotient’s a lot…the whole thing is a lot.

Ginger Johnson Blows Off! features just the divine Ms Johnson, a grimly unsmiling accomplice called Jen who’s only really there for health and safety purposes (think Dame Edna’s Madge Allsopp but with a much worse attitude) and the unsuspecting audience member that Ginger deems to be the bravest of the night, and who becomes embroiled in a potentially life altering trick. By the way, if you’re terrified of audience participation, don’t assume sitting at the back will save you, that’s not how Johnson operates. 

Her singing is like her appearance: loud, unsubtle and hugely enjoyable. Ginger’s stage persona is infused with a grim joie de vivre (even when facing possible death or at least permanent facial disfigurement, this game glamazon is always ready with a cheeky quip, bitchy aside and triumphant if somewhat misplaced air punch) and she’s completely adorable in a vaguely terrifying sort of way. 

The original songs by Bourgeois and Maurice have all the catchy, bombastic glam rock cynicism associated with that gloriously twisted duo, and they are performed with aplomb. The final cri de cœur, a power ballad entitled ‘How The Fuck Did I End Up Here’ is a mini masterpiece of dark musical comedy writing.

Johnson does indeed attempt to recreate the mythical Zaza’s cannon-firing trick, with hilarious results, and along the way we get Russian Roulette, confetti, ignited farts (hence the title of the show)….and a lot of sweat, swearing and, er, drawing pins. Ingeniously, for all the glitz and humour, there’s a very real sense of danger (try watching the Russian Roulette section without getting sweaty palms) and even some pathos. Ultimately, Ginger says she’s just doing it for the attention, but, you know what, she deserves it. Give it to her.