CabaretComedyFestivalsReviewScotland

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody – Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, Assembly George Square

Reviewer: Alex Gibson

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody delivers an outrageously entertaining fantasy-drag extravaganza that reimagines iconic Disney characters, transporting them from the classical lands of far, far away into a modern-day, cabaret-style musical. Brought to life by the Australian theatre group The Hairy Godmothers, this show is a must-see.

The performance opens with a naive young hero in search of his one true love, who is swept off his feet by the charismatic Hairy Godmother, a figure of both wisdom and wit. With a beer casually in one hand and a cigarette dangling from the other, the Hairy Godmother leads our hero through a series of delightfully twisted fairy tales, offering pearls of wisdom along the way.

Throughout this wild ride, the hero encounters many original ‘Dizney’ characters, each hilariously competing for his glass slipper (and heart). Sorry kids, there’s no room for Elsa here! We meet ‘Pan,’ the eternally youthful boy who refuses to grow up, and ‘Jazzman,’ who humorously navigates the challenges of a ‘whole new world’ of online dating through ‘Cinder.’ There’s also ‘Miss White,’ accompanied by only three of her dwarves (Grumpy, Dopey, and Sleazy), and the audience is tasked with hilariously filling in for the missing four. One might even find themselves eager to be pulled up on stage!

A standout moment of the show is the musical number led by ‘Strapon,’ a boisterous display from Beauty and the Beast’s Gaston. The energy is infectious as jokes fly fast and furious, each one cleverly crafted to poke fun at the stories we all grew up with. The show boasts a delightful array of exaggerated props, glittering beards, and an impromptu lap dance.

This performance is nostalgic, wildly fun, and extravagantly over-the-top. Although it’s a bit rough around the edges, this only adds to its charm, and the passion and enthusiasm of the performers shine through. Prepare yourself for some modern twists, cheeky references, and Aussie slang. While we witness the unravelling of our cherished characters’ ‘happily ever afters,’ the journey is ultimately a magical, captivating adventure of self-discovery, sex-positivity, and acceptance.

Whether you’re a devoted Disney fan or simply in search of a wildly entertaining night out, this show is a delight from start to finish. Grab your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and very non-PG fun!

Runs on 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, and 24 August 2024 | Image: Contributed

The Reviews Hub Score

Glittering, Outrageous, Non-PG

Show More
Photo of The Reviews Hub - Scotland

The Reviews Hub - Scotland

The Scotland team is under the editorship of Lauren Humphreys. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. We aim to review all professional types of theatre, whether that be Commercial, Repertory or Fringe as well as Comedy, Music, Gigs etc.

Related Articles

Back to top button
The Reviews Hub