A nostalgic, and joyful performance that marks the Patchworks Ensemble’s UK debut. Summary
Rating
Excellent
“One day your life will flash before your eyes – make it a show worth watching”. This is the closing line of The Gentlemen’s Club, encapsulating everything the production is about: life is for living, so be yourself, do what your heart desires, take risks, and make it a good show. Following a successful debut in India, this is the play’s international premiere, marking the first co-presentation between Soho Theatre and the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai, but hopefully not the last.
The Gentlemen’s Club was first produced in 2015 by the LGBTQIA+ organisation Gaysi Family, three years before the Indian Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Section 377, a colonial-era law criminalising queer identities, and as India’s first drag king cabaret it was groundbreaking. Set in a fictional nightclub, a group of women perform as drag kings with confidence and exuberance. The night is filled with dance, music, and comedy as the central characters tackle issues such as gender identity, politics, and friendship, whilst the narrative is non-traditional, adding to the charm of the piece. Moments of extended dialogue are interspersed with high-energy dance routines and parodies of Bollywood scenes, which the audience greatly appreciates.
Leading the cast is Puja Sarup as Rocky, whose act is inspired by Shammi Kapoor, the famed Indian actor with a career that spanned over five decades and more than 100 films. Sarup’s embodiment of Kapoor’s mannerisms is outstanding, captivating the audience with the slightest raise of an eyebrow. While all the actors shine, it is Ratnabali Bhattacharjee who garners the most laughs. Her portrayal of the loud, brash, and overly confident drag king Mr 55 is hilarious, eliciting genuine shrieks of laughter from the crowd.
Although most of the performance is in English, a substantial number of sequences are performed in Hindi, yet this does not diminish the enjoyment for those who do not speak the language. The actors’ skill in conveying their characters through body language and movement shines here, making the narrative easy to follow and keeping everyone engaged.
While the overall theme of the evening is one of humour, heavier themes are addressed in a way that preserves their power and importance. Alongside immersing the audience in the entertaining world of a drag club in Mumbai, the show explores themes of gender identity, toxic masculinity, and seizing of opportunities.
The overarching impression the evening leaves us with is one of nostalgia and joy. The Gentlemen’s Club is a celebration of Mumbai’s drag scene that will leave you wanting to re-watch your favourite Bollywood films and embrace opportunities that, as expressed in the closing sentiment of the performance, make your life “a show worth watching”.
Produced by: the Patchworks Ensemble
Lighting Design by: Bharavi
Sound and Projection by: Vikram Phukan
Devised and created by: Puja Sarup, Sheena Khalid, Vikram Phukam with Rachel D’Souza and Ratnabali Bhattacharjee
Choreographed by: Amey Mehta
The Gentlemen’s Club runs until 12 October at the Soho Theatre. Further information and booking details can be found here.