★★★★
Produced by Nonsuch Studios, the outrageously wonderful OUTLAWED recently made its Newcastle debut, thus concluding the show’s three week tour of the North of England.
After selling out its run in Nottingham back in 2023, audiences from all over have now been invited to The Major Oak, the hottest cabaret bar in Sherwood Forest, where Robin and their equally bohemian gang of Merry Fools are set to throw the party of all parties—even the Sheriff of Nottingham gets an invite (more on that later).
In case you were wondering, the Robin Hood references are not just a coincidence. This show is in fact a drag-cabaret retelling of the Robin Hood story, a concept that ends up being just as FAB-U-LOUS as its execution.
Right from the get go the audience are involved, with Maid Marian (Dora Gee) circulating the crowd, introducing herself before the show even begins. Then, we are introduced to the rest of the stellar cast. Hunter Manning’s Robin Hood impeccably compliments Gee’s Maid Marian. The pair have the most authentic rapport, thus, making you instantly invest in their respective characters.
Lucinda B. Hind is equally sublime as Friar Tuck’d. Their Lip-Sync to Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’ is what really gets the show off the ground and running. Finally, a special mention has to go to AK Golding. Their portrayal of The Sheriff of Nottingham was chimerically spectacular. Their comic timing is electric and the dance routine to Billie Eilish’s ‘Bad Guy’ is utterly captivating, probably for all the wrong reasons!
However, if you think this show is just a two hour, ten minute rendition of Drag Race Season 5’s best bits, you are wrong. It is also a masterclass in how to manage a mix of technically complex dance routines with powerhouse vocals.
The cast execute a combination of styles: Fosse, Theatre Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Vaudeville and Burlesque are all expertly performed with a high degree of isolation, incredible posture as well as a superb use of props and some breathtaking cane-ography throughout.
So, there are plenty of genius moments, but it isn’t a flawless production. The backing-track is often much louder than the vocals. This isn’t a major issue but it can be occasionally distracting. The lighting is problematic too. The transitions could have been smoother and more refined during moments that had heavier amounts of dialogue.
On the whole, the show benefits from chaos but every now and then things feel a tad too messy. It is often hard to determine the difference between improv; scripted and genuine mistakes. Again, this doesn’t take away from the show but does sometimes leave you feeling ever so slightly lost.
The show features but certainly doesn’t rely on an eclectic mix of songs. In fact, it includes almost every textbook camp-pop-banger going. Everything from Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ to Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ get an outing and get the crowd going too. Thus, making OUTLAWED a fascinatingly kitsch, burlesque-fuelled retelling of the at times tiresome Robin Hood, Hero Vs. Villain story.
Essentially, the whole show very much feels as if Michelle Visage, La Voix and Lily Savage have stormed into a medieval tavern in the middle of a forest and decided to start a karaoke revolution—truly stunning stuff!
OUTLAWED is wonderfully, beautifully, unapologetically queer. It soars and slays with very few hitches along the way—it really is a must-watch!
My advice—just embrace the madness from start to finish!
OUTLAWED was performed at Northern Stage, located on the Newcastle University campus on 24 October.
Words by Cory Gourley
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