Drag queen Danny Beard promised to deliver the “best drag show Liverpool has ever seen” with their debut solo theatre tour - and they didn’t disappoint.
The latest winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK visited their home city over the weekend to put on a performance which I won’t be forgetting any time soon. The 30-year-old from Halewood rose to fame on the BBC competition but standing there on the minimalist stage at the Playhouse in a Cruella-esque inspired look - there was no other competition. All eyes were focused on them as they effortlessly switched from comedy to vocals in a way which reminded me of an Adele concert.
Accompanied by a full live band, the two 45-minute sets were packed full of dark humour, crowd participation, energetic songs and fashion which Miranda Priestly would die for. The eager crowd knew they were in for a good time when Danny kickstarted the show with their own version of a “vocal warm” - an elongated puff on their flavoured vape.
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Act one came to an end with a lively rendition of ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!. If I wasn’t such a fan of the Swedish group, I would have initially struggled to recognise the song as the music was being drowned out by the sound of audience cheers and claps for the drag queen and rightly so.
The former Britain's Got Talent contestant showed off their musical talent and ability by letting attendees randomly choose a song for them to perform. What the audience was treated to was a dramatic improv of Madonna’s Like A Prayer. Overall, the set was anything but polished, but in the best way possible as I left feeling like I knew who Danny was as a person, rather than just an artist.
Danny revealed the audience at the Playhouse were guinea pigs before they announce a UK tour and from what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t be surprised if the shows were sold out up and down the country.
The self-proclaimed “shady, singing, cartoon clown” is now taking their show to theatres in the likes of London, Bristol, Salford and Cardiff. Unfortunately, this show won’t be returning to the city again but if they ever return for another home city performance, it will certainly be on my list and it should be yours.
Danny previously told the ECHO how it was a "dream come true" for them to be able to perform where they grew up.
They said: "Growing up in Halewood it was always a dream of mine to put on a solo show in the iconic Playhouse. I’ve been going there watching theatre since a child, and now it’s my time to put on the best drag show Liverpool has ever seen. Well, that’s what I’m telling myself anyway.”
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