You may already have encountered the cast of ‘Drags Aloud’ – the larger than life foursome have been spotted stomping around the city on numerous occasions, gathering punters for their show. In bright red glitter jackets, bouffant wigs, platforms and wearing more make-up than your average clown, they certainly stand out and succeed in stopping passers by in their tracks. As such, your perception might be that this show would be everything drag acts do well – tongue-in-cheek humour with added glamour.
The show’s preview promises a comedic ‘slant of the world of cinema’ and with two of the cast members being more rotund than your average drag queen, it’s clear that they don’t take themselves too seriously. As such , it promises to be a fun evening.
The context of the show reflects on some of the classic Hollywood movies and the Drags Aloud foursome work through the hour performing musical sketches that poke fun at scenes from the likes of Titanic and the Wizard of Oz. Comical moments include a Matt Lucas (Little Britain) doppelganger cast member taking to the stage to sing The Muppets Song, ‘Manamana,’ in an unflattering neon inflated jumpsuit. In between each on-stage sketch, the audience is drawn to a projection of skits the foursome has pre-filmed with a series of characters running throughout the show. The sketches do raise occasional laughs from the audience but are primarily clutching at desperate straws with the jokes bordering on silly at times and as such are perhaps more suited to a younger audience (unlikely to attend a 11pm viewing).
As the show continues, it’s not entirely clear whether the apparent lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Drags Aloud cast is part of their comedic routine or in fact reality. The foursome have been on the festival circuit for many years now, but this year’s performance feels worn out and in desperate need of a refresh. As audience members start to get bored, you may well find yourself desperately waiting to be entertained and to find humour in the show, but be prepared to leave disappointed.
Drags Aloud at this year’s Fringe is symbolised by the cast’s worn-out outfits… lacking sequins.
2/5 
Sarah Grant
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