Send in the Clowns returns to Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre this week - before embarking on a national tour - with the latest raunchy and riotous installment of their Drag-Caberet-Musical Theatre Extravaganza, entitled C*ck Of Ages. This time around, the Clowns are serving up (and sending up) one of the modern age’s most prolific genres: The Rock Musical.

Jukebox musicals provide a nostalgic trip for fans, and the chance to hear a wailing guitar riff or two before being tucked up in bed by 11pm. However, among the leather jackets and power ballads, the Clowns have detected a definite whiff of something unsavory - Heterosexuality - so they depart on a noble mission to “Make Musicals Gay Again”.

The show opens with a deliciously Lo-Fi homage to Star Wars’ scrolling titles, setting the scene for a kind of ramshackle but highly talented comedy that’s hard to beat. With only a shaky projector, a theatrical cloak and a razor sharp script, the audience were confidently joining in before the artistes had even introduced themselves.

C*ck Of Ages - which takes its name from Rock of Ages, a jukebox musical set to a backdrop of 1980s glam Rock - makes a whistlestop tour of Rock & Roll musical numbers. There are references to Rent, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You and more. There’s also a suitably theatrical and paper-thin plot, and an extra-large golden penis.

The four performers each enjoy multiple moments in the spotlight, and as a quartet they balance and counteract each other beautifully. Birmingham Drag legend Fatt Butcher leads the way as host and compere. Dahlia Rivers is the leading lady, managing to be unashamedly filthy with a sweet and angelic expression. Blü Romantic takes on ‘all the manly roles that no-one else wanted’ with aplomb, and Alanna Boden took the crowd by storm with a couple of belting solos. 

In fact, the vocal talents on display from all four performers are seriously impressive, especially in the cosy quarters of the Old Joint Stock. The cast might imply that everything is homespun and under-prepared (“We only had two days rehearsal!”) but the whole show sounds and looks fantastic - with pitch-perfect harmonies in the midst of frantic scene changes. 

Last night’s audience seemed to be a mixture of cabaret newbies, Rock Musical fans, and Send in the Clowns veterans - and all of them were on their feet at the end of the show. Moments of thought-provoking sincerity ricocheted off into side-splitting laughter. And a guest appearance in the second half really elevated the evening, with a sensitive, Oscar-worthy portrayal of ‘Frenchy’. 

Anyone who turns pale at X-Rated content should take the hint from the title - C*ck of Ages might not be up your street. Otherwise, come and join the fun! When was the last time you belted out Queen lyrics in the theatre?

Five Stars

Send in the Clowns: C*ck Of Ages was reviewed by Jessica Clixby on Thursday 30 January at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, where it shows until Saturday 1 February. 

Send in the Clowns will return to The Old Joint Stock in September with a new show.