Theatre and Broadway meets drag excellence at the QUEENZ show in Underbelly Boulevard, Soho.
They served unimaginable vocals, fierce choreography and a stellar production overall by David Griego and team.
I didn’t really know what to expect when I walked in but the atmosphere at the Underbelly Boulevard was bougie to say the least.
Flutes of champagne, prosecco and wine sat cosy at the entrance for the guests who put on their best outfits for the night.
I wasn’t ready to walk into a festival on a Tuesday evening but the energy in the room made me believe the weekend had arrived.
There was a press wall for all of the guests to take pictures with the gorgeous Summer Stone who was an absolute vision in fluorescent.
It was press night and the room was crawling with media moguls like myself who just wanted to have a good time, professionally…maybe.
I made my way up to the theatre to find my seat in the VIP box (a subtle flex). The first thing I noticed was the word QUEENZ bedazzling and glimmering on stage.
It didn’t take long for all of the seats to be occupied, everyone was eager to watch the QUEENZ waltz onto the stage.
They certainly didn’t waltz, they strutted onto the stage with a gracious stride to let us know they’ve arrived in power.
The energy these queens brought to the show with their incredible vocals lifted me to a high vibration state in seconds.
The command they had over the stage reflected the attitude of seasoned drag queens who have been doing it for years.
And these are young queens, who have taken their experience as theatre/broadway artists and poured it into drag to create an astounding form of high art.
Bella DuBall carries the aura of being the mother of the group who draws the audience in with just her eyes. With her golden corset and fiery wig, she had the whole theatre in the palm of her hands and her irresistible gaze.
She was unafraid to show us exactly how limitless her vocal registry was but it was her personality that held me hostage. She was witty, naughty and oozed goddess fantasy.
Speaking of personality, Zeze Van Cartier was a big one with her moustache butch drag realness. Who devoured the stage with her voice and left no crumbs.
Her animated expressions kept me in the loop the entire time. She was the epitome of entertainment throughout the show with her magnificent presence.
She also enlightened us on a little history on drag as an art form and how it’s been around for over 2000 years. Which was quite interesting for me to learn as someone who thought RuPaul Charles was the start of it all.
One of the QUEENZ stole my heart with her vocals in a manner that made me believe she was the Cher or the Celine Dion of drag.
Dior Montay had no business being that extraordinary but I’m not mad about it. And if that wasn’t enough repertoire, she also made us chuckle with some cheeky comedy.
They were all comedy queens with a touch of theatre and exciting themes/concepts of characters for each of the queens.
Billie Eyelash was a fireball on the stage who was the ditsy sultry queen who was fearless and funny and an absolute treat to watch.
She brought a sense of lightheartedness to the show that was a breath of fresh air from all of the intense energy we were adsorbing.
Her comedy was refreshing and her vocals were stunning. And she could definitely be the girl next door you have a laugh and go reckless shopping with. She’s the loveable queen of the lot.
Candy Caned was the silly girl from Essex and the doll of the group. She pranced around the theatre and blessed me with a charming touch on my hand that made me weak in the knees even though I was sat. She slayed the high notes but it was the rap queen in her that made me gag for her more.
However, I was deceived towards the end when she nearly cried from the standing ovation we owed them for putting on an incredible show.
It was in her soft sobs that I realised that this was a team of lovely queens who have worked so hard in the past three years to get to where they are now.
Candy Caned made me see the heart behind the art and the sisterhood amongst them as they held hands to make sure she was okay. The queens then huddled after singing ‘True Colours’ to receive the love they so rightfully deserve.
I would be wrong not to mention Jayce, an icon disguised as a member of the crew backstage. Who surprised us with their hilarious cameos as part of the bit. Death-dropping into our lives with snazzy silver boots and became the 6th member of the QUEENZ without breaking a sweat.
David Michael Productions have outdone themselves by putting on such an exquisite show with a production that was out of this world.
The lighting, the sound, the design and all of the colours on the stage were all extravagant, opulent and beyond extraordinary.
This a show of a lifetime with the perfect group of talented queens who love each other and made us all fall in love with ourselves.
“I am a QUEEN” we all were made to say in unison and for a moment I felt like I was a part of the QUEENZ family. Which was truly a safe place for everyone to feel like they belong, feel loved and inspired.
Book your tickets NOW at https://www.queenztheshow.com/tour-dates/
Th QUEENZ will continue to perform from 11th July-18th August at the Underbelly Boulevard. Treat yourself to this magical show, we at 2Shades vouch for the QUEENZ to spice up your life.
2Shades Magazine 