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It’s 2065 but some things never change as Jinxx Monsoon and Major Scales deliver an evening of seamless comedy, ad libs and music.Summary
Rating
Excellent
The year is 2065, the Earth is ruled by alien overlords, and Jinkx Monsoon is an ageing diva – that is to say, little has changed since 2022. Jinkx and Major Scales take us on a journey into the future using video and song; a journey that echoes the torpid descent of world affairs from 2019 until now.
From the moment the two stepped on stage, Jinkx and Major were met with roaring applause. With her makeup aged-up several decades, the queen’s drag personality took on a hilarious new dimension as older and more bitter. The main conflict of the show is that much of the past few decades has been spent with our stars in a feud, and the show’s twists and turns revolve around unpicking their bickering.
Jinkx is so very clearly an expert at her craft, and the cabaret format provided the perfect opportunity to combine her humour and singing chops. Major Scales should also be commended for the ability to play the keyboard accompaniment whilst performing comedy and keeping up with the improvised aspects of the show. Both Jinkx and Major made the feat of comedy cabaret appear an absolute breeze.
Throughout the course of the cabaret, the performers entertained with songs detailing everything from the explosion of the sun, hailing the Glarglax aliens that now control the world, to the Drag Race panel being eaten by a queen. The show is absolutely brimming with jokes, often tongue-in-cheek, often outright crude, all of which had the audience cackling.
Jinkx was excellent at playing off the audience and the setting, with some charming digs at Brits and Londoners. I particularly loved that our favourite ginger lush kept checking her hand to confirm the city we were in. Jinkx is a master of physical comedy and a spectacular vocalist. Major Scales is an excellent complement to Jinkx both in musical talent and performance chemistry, and the two were able to ad-lib and bounce off each other seamlessly. However, viewers be warned: do not interfere with the stage! Woe betide all those who block the stage to go to the toilet – I’m with Jinkx on this one!
There were moments at which it felt like the two performers were still finding their feet and getting a feel for the audience, but given their expertise this did not detract from the overall spectacle. Indeed, it created the opportunity for further improvised jokes, some of which were highlights of the show for me.
The tale of Jinkx and Major’s reunion resolves in their quibbles being overcome, accompanied by a musical number to boot. Of course, it goes without saying that the two were ultimately vaporised by aliens. I adore this brand of bleak absurdist humour, and the abruptness with which the show ended was itself hilarious.
Ultimately, Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales: Together Again, Again! is a side-splitting show of the most excellent weirdness, and a great night out for drag afficionados and newcomers alike. Jinkx is the type of performer whose reputation precedes her, and rightfully so. This duo could not fail to entertain if they tried, and those with tickets are surely in for a treat.
Written by: Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales
Produced by: Soho Theatre & Tim Whitehead Management
JInxx Monsoon and Major Scales play at Leicester Square Theatre until 23 April, then tour nationally through to 11 June. More information and tour dates can be found here.
