Book & Lyrics: Luke Howarth & Evie Fehilly
Music: Gabriel Chernick
Director: Luke Howarth
Acid’s Reign brings together some of the UK’s hottest drag and cabaret talent in a polished musical production examining morality and environmental conscience. This show-within-a-show extravaganza is playful, witty and a surefire way to enjoy your evening.
Presented by Relish Theatre, who consistently champion new LGBTQ+ writing, Acid’s Reign is one of three productions comprising the company’s Spring 2025 season, curated around the theme of ‘restoration’. Currently playing in repertoire with Oh My Pain, My Beautiful Pain!, both Pleasance productions also share a strong focus on artistic integrity and personal sacrifice.
Alex Acid (Joshua Oakes-Rogers) is determined to lead drag supergroup The Climate Queens to success when their cabaret show Hotter starts to garner interest from corporate investors. With new funding, they can afford to star-cast social media sensation Dina Mite, but just how many changes are required on the road to mainstream approval?
Acid’s Reign is a crowd-pleasing experience through and through, offering an engaging and robust narrative presented by an impeccable cast. Each performer knows exactly how to hold a stage, work an audience, and knock out an impressive musical number. Mixing some original compositions with entertaining adaptations of existing melodies, the production offers a winning balance of feeling fresh yet familiar.
Oakes-Rogers and Gigi Zahir, as the appropriately named Ria Listic, anchor the production as long-time friends sparring over how to best package and distribute their artistic vision. Both start out as well-intentioned creatives but their paths quickly diverge as they take opposing sides of the integrity vs. visibility debate.
Oakes-Rogers is much more likeable than the online plot summary suggests, displaying an earnest desire to do the right thing. As Alex, they lose themself slowly, incrementally; justifying their actions so that everyone follows along, until they no longer can.
Zahir also brings great depth to their role as the group’s moral compass. They are stubborn and reluctant to change for corporate approval, yet also intelligent and perceptive, showcasing resolve in their views without coming across as preachy.
As Olive, Ash Weir is an absolute gem amongst the production’s ensemble of quirky personalities. Innocent, excitable and completely delightful, Weir quickly establishes themself as an audience favourite. Their impressive delivery of a Getting Married Today parody showcases the true extent of their performance skill and is one of the show’s greatest highlights.
Jamie Fuxx is the first to showcase powerhouse vocals, stealing the opening number with their fantastic belt. As the group’s strong and sexy drag king, Micky is the least understood by society and Fuxx strikes a wonderful balance, underscoring their entertaining bravado with honest vulnerability.
Scarlett Harlett truly asserts her ‘star’ status as Dina Mite, delivering brilliant vocals and a captivating, nuanced performance which is lightyears away from Rupaul’s Drag Race’s exaggerated acting challenges. An absolute professional, she knows when to hold back as an ensemble player, yet has no problem dominating the stage when given the spotlight.
Acid’s Reign is an ambitious, gripping and creative celebration of queer art, which carries an important moral lesson. On the surface, the production asks the audience to consider their environmental impact; yet, another philosophy sits below the surface. Whatever you are fighting for, don’t lose yourself in it.
Runs until 1 March 2025
The Reviews Hub Score
Impeccable
