Death Drop - Back In The Habit

On a cold snowy night we arrived at The Opera House to watch Death Drop – Back in the Habit. I had no knowledge of the show apart from that on my invite which promised ‘ The Sound of Music meets Scary Movie’, and that it stared some of  RuPauls Drag Race stars. It seemed like a good way to cheer up a miserable cold week and I was looking forward to seeing what it was all about. I do not watch Drag Race but my daughter that was with me did and knew of the big names on stage.

The story is set in St Babs Convent, The patron saint of Elastic bands, and sees the sisters trying to keep the convent open with a threat of closure from The Cardinal and his assistant Father Alfie Romeo who is also trying to find the treasure of The Ring of St Babs. There’s a missing Father Spankie, Murders, Zombies and ghosts amongst the mysterious St Babs Convent Hall.

The set was the arch’s of the convent and this doesn’t change throughout the show, though simple it is affective and all moving of props and furniture is done with amusing flair, the door becomes a hilarious addition to the set as it moved about and used to add to the comedic affect. The cast use tried and tested theatre techniques to show movement around the convent but not without informing us first and turning it into something worthy of a Morecambe and Wise sketch.

The Cardinal and Father Alfie Romeo open the show with an explanation of what is about to occur. Played by Corrinna Buchan The cardinal appears again as other characters throughout the show, Alfie Romeo played by UK Drag Idols first ever drag king was on stage throughout the show and somehow manages to keep Father Romeo serious with all the chaos going on around him.

The sisters that are the stars of the show are Jujubee as Sister Maria Julie Andrews, Cheryl Hole as Sister Mary Berry, Kitty Scott-Claus as Sis Titis  and Victoria Scone as Mother Superior. Fans of the show were treated to in jokes and we all had the pleasure of some of the best slapstick comedy that I’ve seen on stage lately, a pantomime like physical comedy prevails throughout the show and is perfectly timed for hilarious moments. The crude jokes and sense of humour aren’t really my kind of thing but I laughed all the way through this crazy show. The audience whooped and screamed and the at times the laughter was coming from the stage as well as the audience. I can’t pick out a stand out performance for me because every single one of them was amazing.

Fans of Drag Race will love this crazy, madcap, murder mystery with the stars that they know and love, it does not disappoint. Those that like me have never seen  Drag Race can enjoy it just as much and may become new fans. I will give a warning towards the language and the humour because it isn’t for everyone, It is definitely one for over 18’s and those with a relaxed sense of humour that aren’t easily shocked by a bunch of swearing, sex mad nuns.

It was a great night and the show is one I definitely recommend to cheer up this snowy week.