Wig Out!

Friday, 24 October 2008 - Saturday, 10 January 2009
Times : 15:30 - 17:30 19:30 - 21:30

Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, Chelsea, SW1W 8AS

How Much: £25.00 (Highest Price) , £12.00 (Lowest Price)

Not for the Royal Court a traditional Christmas panto. Instead, their festive treat is a bright, bold new drama from hot American playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney set in the House of Light, the New York headquarters of a drag queen posse. With upfront sexuality married to a mythology and even a language created by the drag queens (actually workshopped by the young playwright with a group at Sundance) this is a stylish, hugely ambitious piece that takes us into an entirely alien world.

Wig Out! is a rich drama, tricked out with amazing costumes, a great soundtrack and a patois all of its own. There's a Greek chorus who act as guides to a giddy scene packed with intrigue, infighting, competitive dressing up and getting down. There's an unusual but uplifting love affair at the heart of it all.

Tarell is the hottest young playwright in America right now, credited with creating a distinctive new voice for African American drama, and this is something of a coup for the Royal Court. Reviews and audience experiences varied hugely in New York, and it's disappointing, nay gutting, that the UK version will not feature Michael Kenneth Williams, aka Omar from The Wire. However this is definitely one of the most exciting new plays to cross the pond in a long time.