Hello, Hello, Hello, I’m back and this series has been a rollercoaster! Happy to be rucapping not only a fantastic episode but a British staple and tradition – Pantomime! But first last week we said goodbye to Miss Naomi Carter. Who left a long essay for Cara Melle to wipe off, with a new day in the werkroom the shady comments are being put to good use this week. It’s time for the reading challenge, this season’s queens know how to read. An array of strong and funny reads were produced Cara Melle was the only one who failed. Kate Butch however stood out and shone, which led her to win rightfully so.
Her prize for winning is to cast the main challenge which is a rusical, some may find them a hit or miss. I love a Rusical, and this specific one is centered around Panto! Everyone should attend a British pantomime at least once, it camp, it’s stupid, and a Christmas tradition in many households across the UK. The casting is well executed and each role fits each queen well, so technically a hit should be on their hands this episode.
Giving the queens a helping hand in vocals is Michelle Visage, most queens reach the notes and showcase their roles well. Miss Dedelicioius offends everyone around her when she admits to never seeing a musical OR pantomime. Musicals are an acquired taste for most, but the panto admittance… HOW? Especially as he’s playing a panto dame the most iconic role. However, no doubt she’ll pull it off and do great! Dance rehearsals lead Strictly Come Dancing Pro Karen Hauer to help with choreography. It looks set to be a high-energy number yet she teaches well, coaxes them through, and doesn’t leave them high and dry seen in previous seasons.
An important chat takes place whilst getting ready, with many saying panto is a gateway for children to see their first taste of drag. Not only that but the hypocrisy of the ongoing stupidity that is drag queens are groomers and a danger to children. Yet parents will allow their little angels to a panto where drag queens not only are applauded and loved but panto dames are the main stars. Ironic huh? Drag story time has allowed the queens to devote time to spreading awareness of queer culture, the importance of education and not letting the same things happen to the future generation as it did them! Ginger Johnson especially is incredibly passionate about helping with education and allowing others to not be held back. An emotional moment but very important to see on mainstream TV.
Are you ready to indulge in Panto-Oh she better don’t?’ get ready to hear the traditional lines of ‘It’s behind you,’ boo the villain, and cry “Oh no it isnt?” Kate Butch does a wonderful job as the narrator, it’s pure camp, and her vocals are fab! Playing popstar has-beens are the duo Tomara Thomas and Cara Melle. Singing about Z-list pop stars getting their fame back during panto (brutal.) It’s a well-known fact that many former pop stars rely on work appearing in pantomimes during the Christmas season. In the words of Bimini Bon Boulash “Not a joke, just a fact.” Without a doubt, Banksie stole the show visually as the evil panto villain, the makeup and outfit nailed the role perfectly.
Everyone truly does a great job of making this a classic pantomime. It’s a hard week to judge who is top and who landed at the bottom. Joining the judges this week is guest judge Cush Jumbo and the runway is aptly titled ‘Mirror Mirror.’ A strong lineup of looks in this episode, the strongest look wise is Ginger Johnson, Kate Butch, Miss Dedelicious, and Michael Marouli. As stated by Ru, in this episode he truly will be splitting hairs due to the talent of the show. The winner of this week’s challenge and well-deserved win of their first Rupeter badge is Ginger Johnson. Landing in the bottom two is Miss Dedelicious and Banksie, the competition is so strong that it’s a shame to see anyone go at this point.
Lipsyncing to I Dreamed a Dream by Susan Boyle. Now this is a powerful and popular song, and it’s an emotionally packed performance. Two different approaches were taken, and we see Dedelicous safe for another week. Saying goodbye to Banksie is bittersweet she’s a wonderful queen. Asking Ru, if she can walk the runway one more time before leaving is an iconic exit!
So there we go for another stellar week of UK drag race, what do you all think let us know in the comments!