Commissioned by The Roundhouse, Scottee: Camp fights the cause of light entertainment in the Studio Theatre. With a burst of sparkle, Scottee takes to the stage in a glorious entrance, singing a pop-tastic rendition of Copacabana, while the back-up dancers of Japan’s People join reluctantly, staring blankly into the distance.
Camp it may be, but light is arguable. For all the Primark tights of Scottee’s frequent costume changes and cheerleader rap by faux-showgirl Bryony Kimmings, the show returns to its creator’s well-known confrontational style with Ruth Chidgey’s performance art skit, which fills the room with an overpowering egg stench. Lighter comedy follows as David Mills obsesses over big presidential hair, with some circus thrown in (this is CircusFest, after all) in the form of Jess Love and her breast-juicer-draining, hula-hoop-shaking martini-making number.
This haribo mixed bag of sweets also includes a game show moment with prizes and Scottee’s new work Jim’ll Didn’t, Scottee Will, a parody of BBC programme Jim’ll Fix It that makes dreams come true, but with terrifying magic. Drag queen Titti La Camp captures the rib-tickling essence of Susan Boyle’s campest moments from Britain’s Got Talent. London’s reigning king of freakish folly Mat Fraser ends the show with a shocking dance routine.
Camp relies heavily on Scottee’s continuous on-the-ball wit, which is never in short supply. It is funny. It is entertaining. It is borderline mad. A clever, laugh-out-loud, tear-inducing cabaret to watch, despite Scottee’s apparent renunciation of “the C word”.
Scottee: Camp. Performed by TIC columnist Scottee and guests. Roundhouse, London NW1 8EH. 14, 21 and 28 April, 21:00. £5-15. www.roundhouse.org.uk/circusfest
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