Dragtime! Presents: Gunpowder, Treason, and Thot Review: A Rapturous (and Erotic) Showcase of Queer Identity

Courtesy of Dragtime!, photo by Amy Theobold @never_laughs_photo on Instagram

I went into my first Cambridge drag show with zero expectations, and I came out with tear-stained cheeks, a massive grin, and a cramp from laughing too hard. Last night at the ADC, the performers at Dragtime!’s Gunpowder, Treason, and Thot lit up the stage with a Guy Fawkes-themed show that was more about resistance, compassion, and queerness than the Gunpowder plot itself. With effortlessly funny hosts, impressive performances, and (actual!) fire on stage, Gunpowder, Treason, and Thot was an absolutely delightful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

The show centers upon a Bonfire Night theme, with each act relating in some respect to King James, the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes, and so on. For those unfamiliar, the Gunpowder Plot was a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. On November 5th every year in the UK, we commemorate the failure of the plot with fireworks and bonfires across the nation. 

Although one of the lovely hosts, Magic Dyke, admitted that Halloween might have made for a better theme, I found that this theme allowed for a unique bend on drag–every performance advanced a sense of ‘plot’ rather than being a hodgepodge of unrelated lip syncs or dances. The unity of the show was a striking and surprising element. Each performance was linked with an interlude by one or both of the hosts, with the overarching idea of the Gunpowder plot bringing further cohesion. It also served as a perfect counterpoint to the ADC’s current mainshow, 5/11.

This spoke to the level of professionalism brought to the stage by all the drag performers. The cast was obviously invested, excited, and dedicated to the show, from seasoned performers like standout host Charlene Collins to debuts like Juno Watt – every person on the stage carried themselves with infectious energy and confidence. 

This energy was mainly guided by the fabulous hosts, Charlene Collins and Magic Dyke. From comedic crowd work to back-and-forth quips to hilarious erotic innuendos (or outright references), both scripted and ad-libbed, Charlene Collins and Magic Dyke provided a safe space for the audience and kept the show on track while giving me the biggest laughs of the night. Additionally, they delivered the most heart-wrenching performances of the show (didn’t expect ‘heart-wrenching’ to appear in a review of a drag show, did you!), perfectly balancing the comedic acts like Prince Charles’ “Be Prepared” from The Lion King or Bert I’m a Cheerleader’s medley.

Without revealing too much, I will say that Charlene Collins’ act dragged a tear or two out of me, and Magic Dyke’s impressive pole performance was equally moving. Charlene Collins’ obvious passion for the trans community and innate stage talent combined harmoniously in a punching rendition of “Glad to be Gay” by Tom Robinson Band. Magic Dyke’s pole performance was the most ethereal moment of the show, leaving me breathless at their ability and grace. These serious performances created a space for sincerity and are what truly solidified the artistry in this drag show. 

Instead of a flat show with all comedy, all lip-syncing, all dancing, although it did have a plethora of all three, Gunpowder had a variety of such high-quality performances that it felt like I was watching professionals. One of the ways this was readily conveyed was through the show’s use of light-up objects and pyrotechnics. Keep your eyes peeled for Prince Charles’ performance for a fun, fiery moment, get ready for Sexy Lady’s incredible dancing, and hoop and holler for La Bottomy’s excellent routine with handheld glowing balls. Sexy Lady’s rainbow, light-up cape during her performance was dazzling as she paired it with fluid movements, while La Bottomy’s implementation of the nunchuck-like orbs was exciting and entrancing. Further, with dynamic performances like Alchemy Volvelle’s delicious take on a salacious puritan (I’ll never hear “kitten” without thinking of this performance) and Masc-maker’s eerie yet engaging act, Dragtime! has curated a show that covers almost every base. 

Gunpowder is a show that honors and reveres queer expression by encouraging queer joy and (staying on theme) resistance. I was literally cackling and crying in my seat, and I left with an indescribable amount of satisfaction and glee. It is a drag show with heart, and it is, in my opinion, a must-see.

Dragtime! Presents: Gunpowder, Treason, and Thot is on at the ADC Theatre until Friday the 10th of November.