Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Based on the 1995 cult classic film To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar, To Wong Foo The Musical proves once again that nobody does intimate musical theatre quite like Hope Mill. This world premiere directed by original film writer Douglas Carter Beane, brings the almost 30-year-old film to vivid and vibrant life with both the story and its themes proving just as relevant today.

To Wong Foo introduces us to three New York drag queens, Vida Boheme (Peter Caulfield), Noxeema Jackson (Gregory Haney) and Chi Chi Rodriquez (Pablo Goméz Jones) who embark on a road trip across the States in a bid to attend the Drag Queen of the Year finals in Hollywood. What they don’t bargain for is breaking down in Middle America, Snydersville to be precise. It’s here where the adventures really begin, there’s heartache, humour, high camp and the most wonderful lesson for us all about finding common ground and true connection.

Opening number Feel The Light sets the bar high letting us know from the off we’re in for a thrilling, fun-filled ride as Theo Maddix struts onto the stage as a captivating Rachel Tensions. Composer and lyricist Lewis Flinn has created some very special original songs covering multiple genres along the way that sit right at home within this vibrant production.

Taking on the role made famous by Patrick Swayze, Peter Caulfield as Vida is superb, he gives her warmth, openness and a strong sense of identity, leading the trio with a loving yet knowing hand and always quick with a quip when needed. His pairing with Gregory Haney as Noxeena is perfection, they bounce off each other brilliantly, their friendship feels honest, authentic and gifts us with magical moments throughout. Haney’s razor-sharp timing and deadpan delivery is utterly hilarious, he doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to delivering his brutal put downs and fierce observations, much to the delight of the appreciative audience.

Pablo Goméz Jones brings a real sense of fun to the role of Chi Chi, drag queen in training, taken warmly under Vida’s sequinned wing while Noxeema’s agreement to the trio is more ‘three’s a crowd’ than ‘you’re welcome’. The journey the three go on is both beautifully poignant and utterly hilarious.

There’s incredibly strong support from the rest of the talented ensemble most notably Carolyn Maitland who makes for a superb Carol Ann. Stuck in a violent marriage she opens her life and her heart to the visiting trio with the most heartwarming of consequences. Her duet with Caulfield, Maybe Tomorrow is such a gentle, beautiful moment, their delivery pitch perfect, conveying a genuine sense of hope despite her despair.

This is a true ensemble production with each and every cast member being given their own opportunity to shine and boy do they shine! My face ached from smiling as I watched their transformations once Vida, Noxeema & Chi Chi sprinkled some of their ‘career girl’ magic.

Duncan Burt and Lee Harris as Sheriff Dollard and Ed Earl are first-rate villains of the piece with their backward attitudes and brutal behaviour while Alexander Kranz makes a wonderful stage debut as Bobby Ray, sweetheart of Bobby Lee portrayed perfectly by Emily Ooi. Susie Fenwick and Samantha Bingley ramp up the laughs as they add genius yet entirely different doses of humour.

Costume designer Gregory Gale along with wig designer Bobbie Zlotnik and make up designer Andrew Sotomayor have pulled out all the stops to ensure the cast look stunning. Their use of colour palettes perfectly illustrating the huge differences between the locals and their exotic visitors.

At a time when Drag performances are being censored in many parts of the United States it feels so important to shine a light on this skilful art while also offering a real celebration of authentic individuality.

To Wong Fo is a joy, it will uplift, empower and remind you that life is there for the taking. In a world so full of shade right now To Wong Fo offers much needed light in the most celebratory of ways, it’s hilarious, gloriously camp and bursting with heart. It feels like this is the start of something truly special, this cast and this production have West End and beyond written all over them, and you know when it happens It Will Be Beautiful!

To Wong Foo is on at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre until Sunday 17^th December tickets available here.