Writer: George Lester
Director: Luke Adamson
Gracing the Jack Studio stage for a very limited run, George Lester – a.k.a That Girl – unpacks the past few years with all of the glitter and grit you’d expect from a drag solo show.
That Girl vs The World details the very real media storm which arose due to backlash against a local drag-storytime event. Tensions continue to rise against the art form of drag, which has long been a staple of the queer community, and this vulnerable, entertaining and topical production offers one hell of a way to spend an evening.
First and foremost, George Lester is an incredible representative for drag and the LGBTQ+ community. It is little wonder That Girl won Pink News’ Drag Artist of the Year award last year, alongside drag-king royalty Adam All. The creativity, skill and intelligence he demonstrates throughout this production is worthy of great respect and admiration. His unapologetic celebration of queer media throughout also makes for a very joyful evening, despite some of the heavier discussions.
From the outset, the production’s video and sound design is spectacular – credit to Luke Adamson and JLA Productions. Anyone who has witnessed a live drag performance will likely recognise the art of stitching together recognisable songs, voice clips, etc. and Lester has curated some absolutely seamless sequences of gay anthems and pop culture gold. Lip-syncing along without missing a beat, he proves himself early on to be a master of his craft and a natural entertainer.
Another home-run is Lester’s inclusion of live vocals, displaying skilful vocal control and crowd-pleasing riffs. He is a true talent and also displays real guts in his bold choice to duet with a pre-recorded video of himself; something which could very easily go south in less capable hands.
That Girl vs The World is not entirely without its faults, or perhaps fault – singular. The projected interjections from a particularly catty version of That Girl are a somewhat unnecessary crutch. Lester himself acknowledges these as a deliberate device to ease the intimidating nature of addressing the audience alone. The results of these exchanges can be hit or miss, but they serve their function.
A second, albeit minor, nitpick is that Lester spends periods of the first act applying make-up and cannot fully engage with the audience while doing so. This is the unfortunate cost of executing a drag transformation in real-time. For those who enjoy the small talk and banter of drag make-up tutorials, though, this feels endearing rather than frustrating.
Overall, Lester has brilliantly blended drag cabaret into his autobiographical solo show, delivering the kind of unique magic you hope to stumble upon in an intimate theatre space. That Girl vs The World is a profoundly moving piece of theatre which takes root in your mind, making you feel closer and more appreciative of your community.
Runs until 31 May 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Unique magic
