Review by Hannah Fredriksson
It might have been a few years since you last brushed up on some Disney classics, and looking back some of them have not aged well – outdated values and stereotypical gender roles abound. But not to worry, The Hairy Godmothers have taken all the iconic songs you know and love and reframed them in a progressive light that blows away traditional societal expectations with a little bit of beer and fairy dust.
The audience is greeted by a dashing candelabra and assorted household items performing a campy rendition of ‘Be Our Guest’. It sets the tone for a wonderfully boisterous evening.
The main character, dressed like the dashing young Hercules, embarks on a journey to find their true love, with some guidance from her Hairy Godmother with a hot pink beard and hair as tall as Marge Simpson’s. The Hairy Godmother was an absolute stand-out – they were so at ease and kept the audience guessing with a seemingly never-ending supply of beer and other magical items hidden under their poofy gown.
On their journey, the main character meets many colourful characters that teach them positive sexual values and different ways to express both their masculine and feminine sides. The first of these is Ariel’s hilarious rendition of ‘Part Of Your World’ featuring a healthy curiosity of her treasured collection of human sex toys. Her complete wonder and awe at the mysterious objects had the audience in stitches.
They then meet Snow White, who ‘Just Can’t Wait to be Queen’. Unfortunately she falls victim to a poison apple and when the main character tries to kiss her back to consciousness, they learn a valuable lesson about consent that the good people at Disney must have missed the first time around.
Peter Pan helps the main character get in touch with their masculine side, singing an updated version of ‘I’ll Make a Man Out of You’ with some traditionally non-masculine descriptions in place of the old ones showing that there’s not one ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to ‘be a man’. This was a super wholesome moment that grounded the show a little bit after some of the earlier frivolities.
Then Pocohontas and Grandmother Willow help the main character get in touch with their feminine side by painting with ‘All The Colours of The Minge’, featuring an interpretive dance and an artwork made of menstrual fluid. This was a wild way to celebrate femininity normalise conversation around reproductive health.
Jasmine shows the main character ‘A Whole New World’ of dating apps and swiping right, before being swept away by Gaston in a Strap On.
Of course the moral of the story is that loving yourself is the best love of all. Because a wise person once said, if you can’t love yourself how are you going to love somebody else?
What really takes the cake for me is the inclusion of some thematic exit music after the end of the show, with Sebastien the lobster singing ‘It’s Time To Leave’ to the tune of ‘Under The Sea’ as the audience files out of the hall. It’s just so ridiculous in the best way.
There were some minor timing issues with vocals not quite sitting exactly where they should within the music, but this doesn’t detract from the important message behind the songs.
Dizney In Drag takes classic Disney show tunes and turns them into an entertaining masterclass in healthy sexual expression. Equal parts wholesome and rowdy, it’s a show that leaves you feeling uplifted and empowered with a song in your heart.
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