A holiday show in November? Yes, please! As a festive fanatic and a long-time fan of both Jinkx Monsoon and Ben De La Crème, I was delighted to attend the opening night of their brand-new international production “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show” on Thursday 17th November 2022 at the world-famous London Palladium.
Upon entering the building, I felt extremely proud to see two drag and cabaret legends not only headline but sell out this renowned and historic venue. It was a true testament to how far we have come in appreciation for both art forms. It was clear from the pre-show atmosphere that the audience was geared up for an evening of terrific talent and fabulous festivity.
The show, which can only be described as an interdimensional, time-travelling whirlwind of absurdity in the very best way, is a truly delightful display of endless imagination, originality, and hilarious holiday fun, that showcases both Jinkx and Dela magnificently.
Transporting from the groovy sounds of the 1960s to the intergalactic insanity of 2060’s, this 100-year journey celebrates the music, fashion, and culture of each era, through a lens of relatable and rip-roaring comedy, all while searching for a mistake that will lead to the perfect present Christmas, in an imperfect reality.
Both Jinkx and Dela, who are titans of entertainment in their own right, truly thrived in this dynamic duo, and this production showcases their powerhouse strengths and skills perfectly. Complimenting each other fantastically, it is clear that this pair know how to bring out the very best in each other, all while inviting the audience into a world of creative Christmas carnage, that quite frankly, I never wanted to leave!There is something significantly special about this production, in that it felt extremely original. The secret ingredient? That this production is produced, developed, and created entirely in-house by Jinkx, Dela and their team, and it shows! The production was a refreshing reminder that drag artistry comes in many forms, and sometimes that form is a spectacular sci-fi adventure that would have Doctor Who and Santa Claus coming back for more!
If you’re looking for a festive treat that is jam-packed full of versatile vocals, glistening garments, and comedy gold, delivered by an unstoppable duo of drag and cabaret excellence, then be sure to snap up a ticket to see The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show for one of the remaining three dates here in the UK!
Review by Adam Tipping
Rating: ★★★★★
