Tammy Scowls (Dolly Diamond) steals the show in a narrative ostensibly about Ben (Terry Geo) and his journey to overcome the obstacles holding him back from doing what he really wants to do with his life and asserting his personal identity and sexual orientation in a way that both suits him and isn’t ‘in your face’. On balance, this is a good thing, otherwise this might have been a very saccharine soul-searching exercise, and instead it’s a borderline saccharine soul-searching exercise but with drag queen diva-like putdowns included. Scowls enjoyed an excellent rapport with the audience, with ad libs about the stifling heat in the studio space (the top point of discussion by far amongst fellow theatregoers after the show) and an intermittent crackling noise coming from their head microphone.
A play with songs rather than a musical, there couldn’t possibly have been more than half a dozen songs, at least two of which sounded more or less the same. Most made their contribution to the advancement of the storyline, but all, I’m sorry to report, were ultimately a bit superfluous. Some musical theatre conventions, mind you, are evident, such as the ‘I wish’ song, the acknowledgement that some drastic changes are required, the unforeseen challenges in making said changes to improve one’s life, and the song-and-dance equivalent of a victory lap that sends the audience out on a relative high.
Ben wants to be a stand-up comedian but finds public speaking impossible. To me, that’s a bit like wanting to be a hospital consultant but having an aversion to the sight of blood. Find another ambition, do something else. Callum (Tafadzwa Madubeko) disagrees, to say the least, and in the end, it was difficult to disagree with the show’s takeaway message to tackle one’s fears head-on and overcome them.
The happy ending was somewhat predictable, but there was nonetheless some pleasure in witnessing how the trio get there. The action flows reasonably well from scene to scene. Scowls’ methods of encouragement are in some ways didactic, as though the path to success for her is the path to success for anyone else. It was, however, refreshing to see assured – and justified – self-confidence. Diamond’s Scowls had such wonderful stage presence, and Ben’s initial stand-up routine is skilfully written in such a way as to sound like a first crack at live comedy. A few wobbles with delivery of the dialogue will surely be ironed out before a longer run at Camden Fringe 2025. A brief but boisterous experience that held my attention from start to finish (despite the sweltering heat of the venue).
Review by Chris Omaweng
Can a builder become a drag queen?
Dragging Your Heels is a brand new, musical comedy premiering in London. Ben (Terry Geo) is newly divorced and back in his home town. Feeling like life is closing in on him, he wants to be a stand-up comedian but stage fright always gets in the way. With the help of his best friend, Callum (Tafadzwa Madubeko) and drag queen Tammy Scowls (Dolly Diamond) they show him there could be another way to fulfil his dreams.
This funny and uplifting queer play features songs, swearing and sequins!
DRAGGING YOUR HEELS
Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre, 19 June 2025
Camden People’s Theatre, 19 to 23 August 2025
