With a title like Radioactive Drag Queens from The Year 3000, I hoped this play would deliver on fun. It certainly did that, with equal parts humour, campiness and hairspray.
As you might have guessed already, the play features futuristic radioactive drag queens. They arrive in 2011 to help Roger, aka queen Mademoiselle Betty Croquet (George Bertwell), put on the “most important drag show in history.” The time-travelling queens are both played by women (Nicole Fairbairn and Anne-Marie Krytiuk), and Betty herself is a bit of a plain Jane in drag terms, so you won’t see drag that reaches the glitter level of Priscilla, but the actors were all enjoyable in their parts. Krytiuk’s android queen Blip seemed to get the most laughs.
There is a fourth character, Sean (Kevin Vidal) who works at the bar where the drag show is to take place. I had a little bit of trouble with his character because he’s quite supportive of Betty and the drag world in general, but then he acts like a bit of a pig when he comes onto Blip. Fortunately, his character does redeem himself at the end of the show.
I will say one thing about RDQ3000’s marketing info, which teases “sex, nudity and coarse language” in a salacious attempt to get butts in seats. I think this almost works against them because it’s a perfectly fun show for any kid over 12 (there’s a few crude jokes, but that’s really it), and would be a great way for a family with older kids to spend an afternoon.
Details:
Radioactive Drag Queens from The Year 3000 is playing at Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street, Toronto.
Showtime: 50 min.
Sun, July 10 10:30 PM 1225
Tue, July 12 3:00 PM 1233
Wed, July 13 1:45 PM 1239
Thu, July 14 7:30 PM 1249
Sun, July 17 5:15 PM 1269
Individual Fringe tickets are available at the door for $10 ($5 for FringeKids), cash only.
– Latecomers will not be permitted.
– Tickets are also available online at fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 or in person at The Fringe Tent (behind Honest Ed’s). Advance tickets are $11 – $10 + $1 convenience fee.
– Money saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows.