I have just watched Vladimir Putin give a ball-gagged Donald Trump a lap-dance whilst Nigel Farage, dressed only in leather pants and a gimp mask waits in the wings. These are statements I never thought I would make, but yet, here we are.
We were invited to review Trump: The Musical by Blowfish Theatre tonight. It is running at the Old Joint Stock Theatre (2nd floor of the pub) in the middle of Birminghams Colmore Row, until 22 April 2019. Tonight was the opening night and it was a full house. If there’s any justice in the world*, the rest of the performances will be as popular.
Blowfish Theatre have cast us forward in time to 2020. Nigel Farage has assumed the throne in Britain (Scotland and Wales, have very sensibly abandoned the Union) against a backdrop of Nuclear tension courtesy of Big Bad Vlad in Moscow and Kim Jung Un in Pyongyang. In the shadows, a secretive agency await to take back control of Britain and bring Brexit to an end. Our worst fears have come true: King Nigel has closed the NHS, sent the nurses home, he’s sold the army to Saudi Arabia (apart from one tank, Tanky McTankface) and marmite costs £40 per jar. Into this melting pot of crazy strides Donald, preparing to run for his second term as president, firing off tweets (with his perfectly normal sized hands) and getting Big Mac Burger Sauce everywhere.
Whilst the entire cast are brilliant, I particularly enjoyed the performance of Natasha Lancely who gave us wonderfully ridiculous interpretations of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. The first appearance of Putin and the accompanying songs had me in stitches.
The jokes and gags come thick and fast. There are jokes that hit you square in the face, and more nuanced comments of those of you that have “enjoyed” President Trumps term a bit more closely. “How dare he drop me like an FBI Director!”
The Old Joint Stock theatre is a hidden treasure in Birmingham. It makes for a very cosy and intimate performance. If you’re on the front row, make sure you get yourself a high five from Kim Jong Un, or it’s a work camp for you! The cast are practically on your laps at some points (just wait for the finale!) and interact with the audience throughout. Mrs Trips was informed that she was “the best Trump” when we were all asked to channel our inner Donalds. She’s very proud of the fact.
With less than a hundred seats for every performance, it won’t take long for them to sell out, so make sure you get yours quick. And turn up in plenty of time, if you want to get the best seats.
Tickets can be purchased here for a very reasonable £15 each https://www.oldjointstock.co.uk/whats-on/Trump-the-Musical
Blowfish Theatre are a small theatre group, previously finding success with Boris: The Musical (look out for the sequel, Boris 2: Brexit Harder, coming to the OJS in July!) and having hit upon a winning formula of farce, buffoonery, song and absurdist politics, they decided to have a crack at Donnie. They pull it off. They have the best songs. The best words. The best performances. (I hope you’re all reading that in the voice of President Trump there).
We thought Trump: The Musical was brilliant from start to finish. Its packed full of ridiculous fun and definitely worth 90 minutes of your time. If you can still get tickets, make sure you go. You honestly won’t regret it. And if you do, well. You’re just Fake News.
*Debatable, according to the FBI investigations.
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