Fanny Galore’s Big Night Out
The Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion
22nd January 2016
The Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion
22nd January 2016
I’ll admit that up until I was asked to come and review Southend’s newest drag queen act, Fanny Galore’s Big Night Out, I was rather looking forward to a quiet evening at home with my feet up. Being more of a theatre reviewer, I don’t often get asked to go and see drag queens, however, variety being the spice of life and all that, and with the opportunity to get together with some girlfriends, I and my pals headed down to the Cliffs Pavilion’s Maritime Room to enjoy a cocktail or two, and a promise of a great night out.
The evening kicks off at 7pm with a cocktail reception in The Admirals Room and Fanny makes a brief visit to say hello to everyone, after which you are welcomed into the Maritime Room where you are shown to your table at which you and your guests are served a large sharing platter of hot food such as chicken goujons, salmon pastry rolls, chicken and lamb on skewers plus wraps and dips. If you’re lucky, one of Fanny’s Butlers, Roger or Dick, may pass by to see if everything is to your satisfaction. This certainly went down well with a lot of the ladies in the room, sending them all a quiver; largely due to the fact that all Roger and Dick were wearing was an apron to hide their modesty and not a lot else! Bottoms up and all that!
The evening kicks off at 7pm with a cocktail reception in The Admirals Room and Fanny makes a brief visit to say hello to everyone, after which you are welcomed into the Maritime Room where you are shown to your table at which you and your guests are served a large sharing platter of hot food such as chicken goujons, salmon pastry rolls, chicken and lamb on skewers plus wraps and dips. If you’re lucky, one of Fanny’s Butlers, Roger or Dick, may pass by to see if everything is to your satisfaction. This certainly went down well with a lot of the ladies in the room, sending them all a quiver; largely due to the fact that all Roger and Dick were wearing was an apron to hide their modesty and not a lot else! Bottoms up and all that!
Dick and Roger get the seal of approval from audience members Carol and Debbie
So, on to the main event; from a large screen on stage we see Fanny being filmed getting ready for the show, surrounded by bottles of booze, and subsequently crawling towards the stage. Her introductory dialogue in the style of an air hostess greeting passengers on to a plane is absolutely hilarious and full of cheeky innuendos and from then on you know you’re going to be in for a delightful night of completely saucy naughtiness. The show includes a little bit of audience participation but don’t worry if you’re a little bit shy - you don’t have to join in if you don’t want to. Naturally, there are always those people who just love to draw attention to themselves and Fanny takes no prisoners - much to the delight of the rest of the audience and in particular Debbie from Leigh who, I would hazard a guess at saying, had a whale of a time being the brunt of many of Fanny’s retorts throughout the evening.
Fanny also entertains the audience with some well devised song and dance routines and really brought the house down with a riotous Riverdance routine, along with her two backing dancers and Roger and Dick. At this point my friend, Caroline, along with most of the audience, was absolutely crying with laughter. A huge round of applause was well deserved for a Chicago number where Fanny gave Catherine Zeta Jones more than a run for her money in a fabulous turn.
The evening is nicely rounded off with a disco which goes on ’til late and Fanny and her Butlers come back out to mingle with the audience, giving plenty of photo opportunities and also join in with a bit of dancing too.
This was Fanny’s debut performance at the Cliffs Pavilion and such is the popularity of drag queens of late, the show sold out in record time. Fortunately, Fanny will be returning to the Cliffs every month until May this year, so don’t fear, you will get a chance to see her if you missed out this time - but you need to get in quick!
If you are looking for a great night out with the girls - or guys for that matter - there were a smattering of men very much enjoying the evening, then get yourself down to the Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion. For just £20.00 it is well worth every penny but just one word of warning - if you are easily offended, stay at home - I most definitely am not and I have to say that I’m very glad I didn’t stay at home and put my feet up - this show is just the tonic you need after a busy working week.
If you would like tickets for Fanny’s show then you can visit the box office in person, call them on 01702 351135 or go online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk
We'll also be filming an interview with Fanny very soon - watch this space!
Fanny also entertains the audience with some well devised song and dance routines and really brought the house down with a riotous Riverdance routine, along with her two backing dancers and Roger and Dick. At this point my friend, Caroline, along with most of the audience, was absolutely crying with laughter. A huge round of applause was well deserved for a Chicago number where Fanny gave Catherine Zeta Jones more than a run for her money in a fabulous turn.
The evening is nicely rounded off with a disco which goes on ’til late and Fanny and her Butlers come back out to mingle with the audience, giving plenty of photo opportunities and also join in with a bit of dancing too.
This was Fanny’s debut performance at the Cliffs Pavilion and such is the popularity of drag queens of late, the show sold out in record time. Fortunately, Fanny will be returning to the Cliffs every month until May this year, so don’t fear, you will get a chance to see her if you missed out this time - but you need to get in quick!
If you are looking for a great night out with the girls - or guys for that matter - there were a smattering of men very much enjoying the evening, then get yourself down to the Maritime Room at the Cliffs Pavilion. For just £20.00 it is well worth every penny but just one word of warning - if you are easily offended, stay at home - I most definitely am not and I have to say that I’m very glad I didn’t stay at home and put my feet up - this show is just the tonic you need after a busy working week.
If you would like tickets for Fanny’s show then you can visit the box office in person, call them on 01702 351135 or go online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk
We'll also be filming an interview with Fanny very soon - watch this space!
Fanny with her backing singers/dancers
Ask the Audience
Jane Gale, 58, Rochford
“I thought the show was brilliant, really funny and really good entertainment. It was well worth the price with the cocktail and food, although as a vegetarian, it would have been nice to have a bit more variety.”
Debbie Sanders, 43, Southend-on-Sea
“I saw the show advertised on the internet and I thought it would be a good night out. I really enjoyed it.”
Carol Pearson, 52, Southend-on-Sea
“Fanny was very good and I thought it was really well organised. It was well worth coming and really good value for money
Debbie Lamb, 46, Leigh-on-Sea
“I just love gay people and I’ve seen loads of drag acts but Fanny is by far the best I’ve seen. I would definitely come and see her again!”