Love Disney? Prepare to have your childhood memories altered forever in this hilarious take on some of the classic characters to be found in the company’s repertoire.
It is fair to say that many of us as children grew up with a whole variety of Disney films which is why as adults and visiting this really rather explicit take on the characters who have definitely got a naughty side to them in The Hairy Godmothers Dizney in Drag.
The story follows that of our protagonist ‘The Hero’ who is on the quest to find their true love in the shape of both potential bachelors and bachelorettes complete with plenty of Disney puns and naughty jokes along the way. It will ensure that you will leave with a completely different perspective of the fairytales that we know so well.
Written and directed by The Hairy Godmothers Collective, Dizney in Drag gets the balance between covering serious issues such as masculinity and identity with a cheeky (and of course on may occasion audacious sense of humour) to great effect. Familiar Disney princesses such as Snow White, Ariel and Jasmine are all given their time to shine in an adult way as well as the likes of Peter Pan (who has definitely grown up here…) and Gaston.
However, it did feel as though at times it was trying too hard to make the audience feel involved, with the audience participation elements such as The Lady & the Tramp moment feeling just a little shoehorned in adding a touch of awkwardness to proceedings.
The whole vibe of the performance is that of a pantomime and it is interesting in the way in which songs of characters from one Disney film were then used by another character (keep an ear out for Tinkerbell’s version of Colors of the Wind for example…) – this certainly keeps the audience on their toes.
Just as with any comedy, Dizney in Drag uses humour to confront many topics that society is still finding difficult to discuss in public – it is clever and yes can be uncomfortable but that is what it seeks to confront. If we don’t face these topics head on then they will always be uncomfortable even when here it takes it to the extreme.
We are led through proceedings by The Hairy Godmother played by Owen Merriman who ensures he is the audience’s friend a guide through the whole journey effectively and playfully to the delight of the audience and ensuring she is omne of the standout performances of the evening.
Elsewhere it was easy to enjoy Jae West as the Hero’s journey of self-discovery with character coming across as endearing and thoughtful to make an impact, with the supporting cast bringing their characters to mischievous life (in a way that would have shocked Walt Disney himself). Is it exaggerated? Absolutely but it makes an impact nevertheless and could even be developed further for an even more detailed production for London in the future.
Dizney in Drag is a bold, funny and entertaining start to this year’s Underbelly Festival that will certainly ensure that you won’t hear a Disney song in quite the same way for quite some time!
By Emma Clarendon
Dizney in Drag continues to play as part of the Underbelly Festival in Cavendish Square until the 14th July.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐