I haven’t reviewed a show for a while but last night’s was such a hoot that I felt I had to share a few thoughts on this brilliantly bonkers homage to Stephen Sondheim.

‘Send in the Clowns: Queeny Todd’ is an outrageously camp and affectionate celebration of Sondheim of which I’m sure the man himself would have approved. Whether you arrive already knowing Fatt Butcher and the other drag artists or not, you’re guaranteed an evening of laughs and marvellous mayhem.

The evening has a wonderfully relaxed cabaret feel and, on opening night, the sold-out audience were behind the performers from the very beginning.

The first half gives each member of the company their chance to shine, putting their own distinctive spin on some familiar Sondheim numbers. Alanna Boden delivers a towering ‘Ladies Who Lunch’, while Dahliah Rivers’ ‘Broadway Baby’, performed with deliciously high camp and a knowing nod to the audience, is a perfect choice. Blü Romantic’s take on ‘Giants in the Sky’ from ‘Into the Woods’ is gloriously funny, made all the more entertaining by an uncertain relationship with some of the lyrics.

For me, though, the musical highlight of the evening is Fatt Butcher’s superb ‘Being Alive’ from ‘Company’. Amid all the silliness and mayhem, it’s a reminder of just what an impressive vocalist they are.

Audience participation adds to the fun, with a ‘West Side Story’ singalong proving another highlight. The shortage of lyric sheets only adds to the wonderfully chaotic, anything-might-happen atmosphere.

After the interval, attention turns to ‘Sweeney Todd’, given a distinctly queer and gloriously irreverent makeover in the company’s ‘twenty-minute musical’. Expect references to ‘The Great British Bake Off’, particularly apt as you may recognise Blü Romantic as one of the contestants in the new series which has just started, a blueberry pie raffle and a decidedly unconventional substitute for Sweeney’s famous razor. It’s silly, filthy and great fun

As the title suggests, there’s some great punning throughout but underneath all the silliness is a genuine affection for Sondheim and his music. Whether you know his work inside out or barely know it at all, this is an absolute blast from start to finish. If you like your musical theatre camp, chaotic and just a little bit filthy, keep an eye out for them.

The remaining performances of this show at Birmingham Rep are now sold out but the Clowns return with ‘Send in the Clowns: NANCIES!’ from 28 April to 1 May 2027. Fatt Butcher will also return to Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre with a Christmas Special on 10 and 11 December.