The Stonewall Inn, downtown Manhattan was
one of the many sleazy drag bars of the 60’s. Frequently raided by
the police, who usually met with total submission, one summer night
in 1969 this changed. The fracas that ensued escalated into series
of riots lasting for 3 days involving a crowd of 2,000 protestors
who fought with over 400 police officers.
Thanks partly to these events which became known as, The
Stonewall Riots, today’s drag queens and homosexuals have rights.
but in the 60’s their persecution must have been unbearable.
In the show “Stonewall” we meet new boy
/ girl in town Matty Dean (Joel Dommett) a cute hick from the west,
resplendent in glittering cowboy dudes with guitar in tow. He is
taken under the wing of ‘Fairy Queen’ La Miranda (Alexis
Gregory) herself a ‘Drag Queen’ in waiting. Hotheaded and keen
to express his new self Matty, gets himself into all sorts of trouble
dragging La Miranda with him. It is then we meet the stunning
Bostonia (Rikki Beadle-Blair). Bostonia’s body rivals Cher’s
when Cher was on top form, Bostonias musical numbers send shivers
through you. Bostonias love affair with the seemingly straight bar
owner is poignant and the ensuing tragedy unexpected.
The show is peppered with recordings of
swinging sixties girl groups to which various members of the cast
dance and lip-synch. This may to some seem cheesy, but I took it in
the spirit of which I am sure it was meant and just sat back and
enjoyed the spectacle. Although Bostonia’s Leader of the pack was
just a little too enjoyable!
Beautifully written, designed and directed
by Rikki Beadle Blair (Bostonia) adapted from his original
screenplay for Nigel Finch’s award winning movie “Stonewall”,
which I will now have to find and watch.
This show has something for everyone,
superb writing, production, costumes, dancing, a fabulous looking
cast and glitter, lots and lots of glitter.
****
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