Sink the Pink return to stuff your stockings with queer Christmas cheer.
It’s officially the festive season – the Christmas lights are up and twinkling on Oxford Street, the shelves in Tesco are adorned with panettone and other deserts you can’t pronounce, and LGBTQ+ collective, Sink the Pink, are perfecting their lippy. They’re ready to party.
Gender illusionists, Sink the Pink, first strutted onto the London club and theatre scene in 2008 via the grotty dance floor of Bethnal Green working men’s club. From humble beginnings, they have exploded in a cloud of glitter to pop superstardom across club nights and the West End.
But Christmas is when the drag divas shine – with the huge success of Victorian melodrama How to Catch a Krampus last year, they’ve returned to take over The Pleasance Theatre in their campest show yet.
Written by East London queen Ginger Johnson, Escape from Planet Trash takes drag back to its flawless roots. The show is big, brash and classic slapstick comedy – with plenty of trashy puns.
Ginger is the star of the show, with her huge stage presence, fiery red hair and menacing white teeth. Ginger and her son, Sonny Jim Johnson (played by David Cumming) are the last remaining residents on Planet Trash, holed up in their corrugated iron home with an exercise bike to power their fairy lights.
Little do they know that their planet is facing eternal damnation from an incoming solar flare, and unlikely space explorers (Mahatma Khandi and Mairi Houston) have been sent to rescue them. Except, Ginger is refusing to play ball and the new friends decide to have a raucous party, instead.
The plot is questionable at times, but all is forgiven with an endearing tap-dance appearance from the renowned Lavinia Co-op and plenty of strap-on breast-places…. Adorned with tinsel, of course.
Will the crack-pot crew of aliens and drag stars alike manage to save the planet and make it in time for Christmas?
With a unique soundtrack to the tune of Kate Bush and David Bowie, Sink the Pink have made sure that Christmas ‘tis the season to be merry and camp with their fabulously flamboyant new show. You’d be a Grinch to miss out.
Escape from Planet Trash runs at The Pleasance Theatre until Sunday Decemebr 22nd. For ages 16+.
Words by Emmie Harrison-West
This article was sponsored by Grand Marnier. We recommend starting your evening at the theatre with a delicious Grand Tonic: featuring Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, Fever Tree Lemon Tonic, an orange slice and raspberry garnish, it’s the perfect pairing for a night of culture. 18+ only. Please drink responsibly. For all the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk.