As soon as you arrive at Proud Camden, it’s clear that you are not in for the average night at the theatre. The Donkey Show is a fabulous, exhilarating and flamboyant musical based on one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays: A Midsummer Nights Dream.The Donkey Show transports us back into the 70s where Proud Camden has been transformed into a disco complete with poles, disco balls, movable mirrored staging, swings and a DJ. As soon as we enter the club the energetic cast burst onto the scene bringing the party to life. Oberon, the sleazy fur wearing cigar smoking club owner welcomes us in, and we are made to feel at home by Lady Puck, who in this version is a wonderful Drag Queen on roller skates, orchestrating the evenings events. This reworked tale of A Midsummer Night's Dream incorporates the main elements of the story but with the debauchery and decadence of the 70s. The songs are cleverly manipulated to aid the storytelling and the whole show works brilliantly in this context.
Ryan McBryde’s direction is wonderful, with cross-gender casting allowing the actors to poke fun at some of the grotesque characters they were playing, it really was fantastic from the off. The cast work together to direct your attention from scene to scene so we always know where to look without feeling like it is being spelt out to us. The transitions are seamless and are beautifully worked into the action with the fairies maneuvering the staging around the audience with their own cheeky charm as they do it. The fast-paced action takes place on the ground, staging, podiums and from above, and this mixture keeps the whole show exciting and fantastically bonkers from beginning to end.
Lucy Ridley’s choreography is wickedly fun and energetic, and with the fairies slick precision in such a small space we feel completely comfortable in their hands. The fairies encourage the audience to join in and let their hair down and in this show there is no quiet corner. With people being dragged up onto the podiums, grinding with a fairy or taking ‘sweets’ from Lady Puck, this show is as much about the audience as it is the show, and that makes for fabulous entertainment.
Stand out performances come from Emcee Lady Puck played by James Gillan who orchestrates the whole show. With her natural warmth, she instantly makes us feel comfortable and relaxed, which is imperative in a show such as this. James’ voice is flawless as he effortlessly belts out song after song with a perfectly placed sound. Siobhan Athwal and Bronté Barbé are both fabulous. As the two Vinnies they work together as a wonderful double act that bounce effortlessly off of each other. They are funny and infectious from the second we meet them, and their take on the Donkey’s is hilarious. Athwal is brilliant as the body-popping Dmitri and the energy she bought to the character was unfaltering. Barbé was perfect as the unfortunate Helen and the detail put into creating this character meant that we were spellbound every time she was on the stage.
This is a theatrical experience like no other. Come prepared to let loose and leave your inhibitions at the door. If I had to sum the show up in two words: ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. Now…when can I go again?
What an enticing prospect: the chance to see two of the worlds most celebrated actors, Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave in close up at this intimate venue. They were electric on screen together in CORIOLANUS and they're currently reunited in a production of RICHARD III directed by one of our most adventurous Shakespeare directors, Rupert Gould.