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A little less conversation: After Sex @Arcolatheatre

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According to research, millennials in rich countries are having sex less these days. But they were prepared to talk more about it. So, it is no surprise to see a story about what happens when a series of no-strings-attached encounters start to become attachments. And the conversations arising from it. Such is the premise of After Sex, Siofra Dromgoole’s two-hander of the conversations afterwards. It’s not particularly sexy or erotic, and the snappy pacing and short scenes sometimes make you wish they stayed longer to finish the conversation. Nevertheless, it is still a funny and, at times, bittersweet picture of single lives in the big city. It’s currently playing at the Arcola Theatre .  He is bi and works for her in an office job. She is neither ready for a commitment nor to let the office know what’s happening. He isn’t prepared to tell his mum there’s someone special in his life. He doesn’t speak to his dad, so his mum is his world. It’s a perfect relationship/arrangement. Or so it

A broad range: Jinkx Monsoon Sings Everything @lsqtheatre

Thanks to Ru Paul’s Drag Race being one of the shows available to stream for some time on Netflix, series five winner Jinkx Monsoon is a bit of a star over here. Now she’s here in London for a few days at the Leicester Square Theatre singing songs, improvising and doing stuff.

For the few people that don’t have a Netflix subscription, Ru Paul’s Drag Race is a hilarious send up of the reality show format. But it’s also given rise to a new breed of drag super stars. They sing, they strut, they teach you how to throw shade.

In this show, with her combination of improvised comedy and a relentless voice, Jinkx Monsoon gives you a night to remember.


She doesn’t sing everything. The show is only 90 minutes and the theatre doesn’t want to stay open all night. But there’s no set list and so it’s a showcase for improvisation. The audience calls out songs and Jinkx makes a show out of it.

The only problem with this is when you’re audience is wasted and only calling out uninspiring choices, you may not get to see the best Jinkx has to offer.

A cute but musically ignorant audience member suggested she sing Climb Every Mountain... A song not known for its comic potential. Another suggested she sing that hilarious song from Wicked Defying Gravity. Jinkx does lay down some ground rules. But another might be to think about what’s appropriate for a drag super star to sing for its comic potential. And her vocal abilities. Afterall when she’s not shouting, Jinkx has a terrific vocal range.

Perhaps the audience will be better for the remaining nights. Jinkx will be fabulous no matter what.

Jinkx Sings Everything with versatile accompanist Joshua Stephen Kartes is at the Leicester Square Theatre until 28 October. Look out for the UK Tour with Major Scales as The Vaudevillians from 3rd November to 9th December.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


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