Review: Body Stocking Legion, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club

There is an immediate and cheery welcome at this historic venue from a bearded, bejewelled, skirted and flamboyant box office staff, complete with a delightful pedigree shiatsu pup, Bosco B! It sets up the relaxed and carefree atmosphere of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Purple, gold and silver tinsel and tat festoon the auditorium with faded glamour and above our heads inflated luscious lips and swinging champagne bottles promise an alternative kind of evening.

Body Stocking Legion started late but the entrance of Robyn Herfellow has the diva touch in which much could be forgiven. With red hair and lips and a top knot to swish Herfellow blasts in through the auditorium in fully body stocking, see-through and thonged but delightfully finished off with sensible footwear; and such amusing contradictions abound in this madcap world.

This original, imaginative creation is constructed around the premise that all is not well in the City of London and what might save it from itself is a legion of body stocking subversives. However, don’t be fooled by the seemingly rough and ready delivery, this show has content that is witty, meaningful, and coherent. What may seem random is well-structured, as it rams home the entertaining message of, have fun while you can; forgive, forget, ignore and include. Stop listening to those who tell you, no, and listen instead to those voices who celebrate alternative orientations of freedom, from both society and oneself.

Herfellow opens on electronic keyboard with a tongue-in-cheek (of course!) rendition of ‘It’s Not Safe to Out Anymore’. Supported with a talented, all-leathered female band (other than drummer Doreen, who was delightfully comfy looking), the song screams out that trash is maybe not quite what or where you think. Introduced as the instruments of the apocalypse, the band scream and shout, promoting the Body Stocking Legion who will save us all – while playing some mean guitar. Of course, really it is not about what we wear; suits, chinos, or thongs, but rather what we feel, and what freedoms we desire to play out – salary man, or polyester-loving, fishnet-persons or linen-clad ladies, genteel and delicate. The piece derides and destroys preconceived stereotypical notions with its acerbic wit, wrapped up in in jaunty entertaining song, and the chat (direct to the audience) is not half bad either. But shadows of discontent lurk and ‘Me and My Piano, At the Orgy’ is both full of pathos and bathos in equal measure. This zany humour abounds as subversives penetrate the City(!) only to commit fenestration (their word not mine), quickly followed by ‘It’s a Cookie Show’ – and it is!

Body Stocking Legion is fun and highly immersive, as the audience is regularly invaded and are fully expected to participate: and if you don’t know the words there is even a song sheet. So, enjoy an alternative night out with Herfellow. You will get more than you bargained for I’m sure.

Cast/ musicans: Vyvyan Wyld, Meg Narongchai, Shakira Stellar

Directed by: Charles Quilter

Body Stocking Legion plays at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club until 20 April.