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Show: But I’m a Cheerleader – the Musical
Society: Turbine Theatre, The
Venue: The Turbine Theatre. Arches Lane, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AB
Credits: Book and Lyrics by Bill Augustin and Music by Andrew Abrams
Type: Sardines
Author: Jess Pether
Performance Date: 11/10/2022
But I’m a Cheerleader – the Musical
Jess Pether | 13 Oct 2022 12:32pm
Sometimes meaningful and disturbing stories are best told in a candy-coloured, cheery and schmaltzy way. This can actually make the messages hit home harder than if you saw a gritty and dark drama. You’ll be laughing and cheering along and then suddenly realise what’s actually being depicted in front of you. But I’m a Cheerleader The Musical definitely made me stop and think in this way.
The show tells the story of all-American cheerleader, 17-year-old Megan, who is ambushed by her family and friends. They’re convinced she’s a lesbian so send her to a conversion camp for gay teens called True Reflections. The camp’s bigoted headmistress Mary Brown aims to straighten out her pupils by guiding them through a fairly ridiculous five-step programme.
Most of the show is set in what looks like a Barbie Dream House, but make no mistake, it’s strictly pink for girls and blue for boys here. Girls must learn to clean and put on makeup and boys must throw a ball and fix a car. If you don’t comply, or are caught engaging in inappropriate behaviour with another student, you’re put into solitary confinement.
Sadly, although this is played for laughs as student Andre (Julian Quijano) crawls into an actual dog house, these practices are all too real across the world today. Conversion therapy is STILL legal in the UK and in many states in America, and authors Bill Augustin and Andrew Abrams don’t shy away from letting you know this in the show’s programme.
The cast is small but powerful and the harmonies are tight. Some of the songs are a little forgettable but others pack a punch or have the audience cheering and whooping.
The Intervention was a particular stand out, and descends into layers of gospel-inspired vocal gymnastics. Noel Sullivan is great as Mike, a “reformed” gay man who’s come to take Megan away. His singing is impressive and our first glimpse into this terrifying new world.
Standing out vocally throughout is Georgina Hagen as headmistress Mary. She makes the character easy to hate but brings much comedy to the role. You can be sure people like her exist all over this sometimes awful world.
For this performance, Josie Kemp stepped up as our heroine Megan, and you wouldn’t have known she was the cover performer. She gave an outstanding performance, both vocally and with her acting.
The person who eventually changes Megan’s life for the better is fellow student Graham, played by Megan Hill. This is a gritty character, a jarring presence amongst the rainbows and cheerleaders, and Megan Hill was perfect in the role with their passionate and powerful voice.
It’s fun to see many of the cast play several roles and give each one a distinct comedy twist. Ash Weir was particularly great as Megan’s best friend Kimberly and Australian True Directions student Hilary. Laughs a plenty and strong characterisation.
Other character highlights are Michael Mather as Megan’s boyfriend Jared, Kenneth Avery-Clark as Dad and Freddie Love and Mum/Lloyd. I looked forward to each of them coming onto stage.
The show is a wild ride, fast paced and bright. It has a lot of heart and at it’s core, it makes fun of some truly awful things that blight the lives of many LGBTQ+ people around the world. I love the way But I’m a Cheerleader highlights these terrible things with humour, colour and music and I felt uplifted leaving the theatre. But I’ve also not stopped thinking about the darkness behind the story ever since. And that’s the power of theatre.