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Review: Jonny Woo: Suburbia, Soho Theatre 

[review]

From the suffocating monotony of 1970s suburban Kent to the strobing chaos of New York’s club scene, drag icon Jonny Woo’s latest one-man performance is a brilliantly authentic and affecting production. Through musical covers, original songs and storytelling, Suburbia takes the audience on a journey through the hazy formative years of Woo’s life to consider how cultural and personal experiences echo into the present. 

Staged in the fabulous Soho Theatre, the staging is minimal yet profoundly striking. Trancelike lighting and two large net curtains dominate the design, serving dual purposes: as a practical tool for partially concealing quick costume changes and as a visual metaphor for the suffocating constraints of suburban life. Woo’s journey is beautifully symbolised as he steps from behind the veiling fabric, emerging with flamboyance and confidence while embracing his authentic self. This inspiring theme resonates throughout the show, though it is balanced by raw and candid moments that confront the difficult truths of life as a gay man in Britain from the 1970s to the 1990s.

There is clever use of audio clips, integrated between the sparkling anecdotes and high camp lip-syncing, including gruelling inner monologues, Thatcher’s hate speech and the infamous HIV/AIDS public service announcements. These ground the production in the harsh realities that have shaped Jonny Woo’s experiences – the shared experiences of the queer community. However, this does not overwhelm the beauty of Woo’s life told here. These moments of darkness are raw and moving but do not define the performance, reflecting Woo’s own life. 

The on-stage costume changes beautifully highlight a carefully curated collection of dresses salvaged from the wardrobe of a secret crossdresser. These pieces are given new life, serving as a vibrant celebration of diverse gender identities and sexualities. This is a production which features a healthy dose of nudity from the leading man, however this is not misplaced or gratuitous. Instead, it rather boldly reflects the total openness of the experiences shared on stage. In short, the full-frontal nudity mirrors Jonny Woo’s full-frontal honesty with his audience. He is unashamed and fabulously so! 

The true brilliance of this piece is Woo’s ability to unify the audience in joyful celebration of queer identities. Through humour and (at times) very personal interaction with the audience, Woo ensures an undeniable audience rapport. Musical, visual and verbal references root the piece in recognisable nostalgia. It is almost as if the audience becomes a microcosm for the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community itself as we are encouraged to sing, talk and dance alongside Woo. It is a joy to experience. 

Jonny Woo: Suburbia is a provocative and hilarious exploration of the mundanity and absurdity of suburban life, filtered through Woo’s signature cabaret flair. With biting wit, sharp social commentary and dazzling performances, Woo exhibits his life as surreal and riotous art. From the sterile rituals of a shift at Woolworths to the dark underbelly of the AIDS crisis, the show masterfully oscillates between humour and poignancy. It is a boundary-pushing spectacle that challenges preconceptions and leaves audiences both entertained and contemplative. 



Written, performed and produced by Jonny Woo aka Jonathan Wooster 

Jonny Woo: Suburbia plays at the Soho Theatre until 25th January. Further information and booking are available here.

Hope Tillery

Hope has been a regular audience member for everything from musicals to Shakespeare from a young age. She love all forms of theatre and tries to spend as much time attending live shows as she can (probably too much time). She recently finished her final university project assessing the creative benefits and real dangers of boundary-breaking performance forms such as immersive theatre & performance art. She is also on the youth advisory board for her local theatre because it's crucial to support the arts at all levels!

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