The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show at London Palladium

As Ru Paul’s Drag Race continues to enjoy international success, two of the hit show’s most popular alumni continue to entertain with their much-loved holiday extravaganza. BenDeLaCreme made her mark on the sixth season of Drag Race and famously eliminated herself on All Stars 3. Jinkx Monsoon won the fifth season of the show and recently claimed the crown of All Stars 7. Together they co-write the Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, with this marking the dynamic duo’s fourth festive outing. DeLa also serves as producer and director. After performing in Manchester and Brighton, the girls will sashay away to complete the North America and Canada legs of their tour.

Playing to a packed-out house at the legendary London Palladium confirms the sheer love the UK has for these Queens – and the venue really is fit for one. Oozing with silliness and sass and the comical musical numbers audiences have come to expect, the show has not lost any of its original verve. If anything, it’s gained some.

The primary plot (if there is one) involves time travel. This permits the girls to relish in showcasing various cultural references and outfits while also providing an appropriate soundtrack to the time. Jinkx’s Running up that Hill has the audience in stitches. Bringing it back to the festive season (much to Jinkx’s vex) is a song about everyone being traumatised – by Christmas! Joy. As bleak as it might sound, it is joyful to witness such masterfully delivered comedy.

As all are engrossed in the mayhem and simply just going with it, Jinkx asks DeLa: ‘”Are you trying to set up a premise? Because this is insane…” While the line induces laughter and backs up the notion of the show being a series of surreal and wacky sketches, it also reminds us that the two of them secretly know exactly what they are doing.

Clearly very carefully constructed – the production has the energy and unpredictability of a devised piece, with Jinkx and DeLa bouncing off one another effortlessly. Their chemistry is priceless; their talents and vocal abilities unquestionable. At one moment a heckler (very humorously) interrupts the show, and although she lost her composure briefly, Jinkx rolled with it. A true professional.

Beneath the wigs and behind the makeup are two incredibly entertaining, intelligent and strong individuals. Christmas (or the holidays!) is when most couples and families come together. For many in the LGBTQ+ world, however, it can be the loneliest time of year. While not addressing this overtly, the subtext is clear.

Rapturous applause deservedly cloaks the large auditorium as the evening reaches its end. Many depart regurgitating jokes, repeating lines or simply marvelling at the experience they have just enjoyed. In these turbulent times, entertainment of this very nature is desperately needed. DeLa and Jinkx more than delivered and proved themselves (not that they needed to) as drag royalty. To them, we say “Yass”.

Jonathan Marshall

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show was at the London Palladium on 17^th November. There are dates in other UK cities until 20^th November 2022. For further information or to book visit here.