Theatre Review: The First XXXmas: A Very Naughty-tivity, Wales Millennium Centre

Summary

 Rating: ★★★

 Running Dates: Tuesday 5th December - Sunday 31st December

 Where to see it: Wales Millennium Centre

 Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

 Keywords: Drag, Circus, Burlesque, Naughty

Review

 Step into the enchanting and fascinating world of XXXmas, where circus and burlesque collide with a saucy twist on the classic nativity. Get ready for a wild night at the "naught-ivity" that will leave you questioning reality, but in the most fabulous way possible. Strap yourselves in for a very naughty ride, I do think that Polly Amarous, and her incredible supporting cast members (Jenna Dyckhoff, Rahim El Habachi, FooFoo LaBelle, Eric McGill and Bunmi Odumosu) are definitely on Santa’s naughty list this year!

Polly Amorous kicks off the show with a bang, serving as our sassy guide through this naughty rendition. The energy is sky-high with risqué jokes, a fantastic opening, and moments of breaking the fourth wall that had me in stitches. The nativity unfolds in a whirlwind, featuring stellar performances from the rest of the cast, including exercise routines, mesmerising circus acts, and banging burlesque numbers sprinkled with just the right touch of audience participation.

A true standout was Eric McGill, portraying Joseph as the campest lumberjack to ever grace the stage. Prepare to witness acts that I wasn’t sure was safe for public viewing (let your saucy imaginations run wild!). While it wasn't the traditional night at the theatre, it turned out to be my guiltiest pleasure, and I LOVED every moment.

I won't spill all the details, as I believe it wouldn't do justice to the show - it’s one of those that you’ve got to see it to believe it. For me, I would have liked a little more cohesion between the nativity story and the performances but it's a definite must-see, offering a festive experience that takes the tale as old as time and transforms it into a modern-day celebration that RuPaul would applaud.

Standout Quote or Moment: Polly Amorous performing a bilingual rendition of ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams in both Welsh and English.

 See If: You love drag, cabaret, burlesque and general chaos!

 Similar Performances: I’m not sure there’s anything like it

 Last Impression: I can’t wait to go back to the theatre!

Written by Elizabeth Mathers