Fresh from her recent appearance on Coronation Street, Velma Celli – the multi-award-winning cabaret star and alter ego of West End performer Ian Stroughair – returned to her home turf at York Theatre Royal with Rock Queen, an evening celebrating rock classics. Backed by a talented live band, Velma delivered a show full of fun, wit, and strong vocals, confirming why she’s earned her title as, “The UK’s Queen of live vocal drag.”
Stroughair’s West End experience in Cats, Fame, Chicago and Rent shines through in both stage presence and vocal control. Velma’s voice is powerful and expressive — and while she occasionally forgot a lyric or two, she styled it out with ease and humour. It’s part of her charm: unpolished in the right way, making the night feel spontaneous and human. There were moments when she encouraged the audience to take over the big notes — teasingly withholding them, even though she’s more than capable of delivering — it’s a sense of playfulness that kept everyone engaged, though those who had seen her before were likely hoping and waiting for her to belt out those big beautiful notes.
Highlights included a clever, participatory version of Bohemian Rhapsody, with the audience using phone torches to recreate the famous Queen video lighting. It was chaotic and brilliant in equal measure. Bowie’s Dance Magic Dance from Labyrinth was another comedic triumph, complete with a “baby” being tossed around the theatre. These silly, interactive moments — balanced by Stroughair’s genuine warmth and sharp humour — are what make a Velma Celli show so enjoyable.
The setlist mixed high-energy rock anthems with moments of vocal beauty, particularly on Creep by Radiohead, Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It for You), and Roxette’s It Must Have Been Love. These songs showcased Stroughair’s impressive vocal range and emotional connection. A little mic-fiddling and uneven pacing aside, the performance was consistently entertaining.
Rock Queen isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of personality — an evening that blends camp, chaos, and genuine talent. Velma Celli once again proves why she’s in a league of her own: a drag diva who can truly sing, and who knows exactly how to make a crowd feel part of the show.
Reviewed on 12th November 2025
