Happily Ever Poofter ~ [Kings Head Theatre] ~ Review

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Whether you’re a super fan or not it’s hard to have lived a life untouched by classic Disney movies, they’ve been a huge part of millions of people’s childhoods. Since the release of its first animated feature length fairy tale Snow White in 1938 Disney has been delighting children and adults alike with its magic. Whether it’s in the retelling of well-known stories like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, or modern hits such as Frozen, the film giant has unrivalled success in children’s entertainment, thanks in no small part to its very distinctive way of storytelling. Many children, like myself, grew up watching countless Disney films and have been influenced by their lessons in kindness, friendship, generosity, and courage. But when the films of one company are so influential in so many young people’s lives what happens when that company chooses to only tell one kind of story?

Happily Ever Poofter is a one man parody musical show which explores society’s absolute refusal to acknowledge same sex romance in children’s media, targeting one dominant presence in that area in particular… and I think we all know the main culprit. The story follows Prince Henry of The Southern Vales, the only gay in the kingdom, and his pursuit of love and acceptance. He’s seen all the other princes marry their princesses and he wants a happily ever after of his own, only he’s becoming increasingly sure that there’s no prince waiting for him and that perhaps he needs to leave the kingdom altogether to find what he seeks. Assisted by his fairy godfather, Prince Henry finds himself in the twenty-first century and fully immerses himself in the modern gay scene, learning all about the wonders, excitement, perils, and pitfalls of being a gay man. Will his adventure lead him to true love? Or will his differences damn him to an eternity of solitude and misery?

Told in a series of songs parodying well known Disney classics, this energetic one man cabaret includes numbers such as ‘I’ve Just Come Out to The King’ and ‘One Day My Prince Will Cum’. It’s side-splittingly funny and I left the theatre with an aching jaw from grinning almost non-stop throughout. Cheeky, packed with innuendo, and relentlessly good fun Happily Ever Poofter has the feel of a pantomime, a drag show, and stand-up all rolled into one. But despite having the audience in stitches for most of the duration, it also doesn’t shy away from some of the serious issues affecting the gay community such as drug abuse and STDs/STIs. Further to that we see with real clarity the way that an absence of queer stories can affect queer people, particularly children. Where are our happily ever afters?

A year or so ago the topic began to circulate throughout social media that it would be wonderful if Frozen’s Elsa could get a girlfriend… The backlash was so telling of much of society’s attitudes to same sex couples – tolerated in theory, but ‘not in front of the children’. The idea that a man and woman kissing in children’s stories is fine, but two people of the same sex kissing is ‘inappropriate’ is inherently homophobic and still the prevalent attitude even in the twenty first century. Happily Ever Poofter highlights and condemns this attitude with defiance, strength and heart. After all, some children are gay… get over it!

High praise goes to Rich Watkins, the actor and creator of this fantastic show who brings fabulous energy and unwavering commitment throughout. His comedic timing and improv skills are faultless and the success of this show is in no small part down to the fact that he’s working his patent knee-high heels off! He multi-roles as various other characters as well as Prince Henry, and there’s a heavy audience participation element throughout with which he takes no prisoners.

Happily Ever Poofter has everything – singing, dancing, audience participation, puppetry, comedy, tragedy, sex, drugs and more! But the best thing about it? Its inspiring message of LGBTQ solidarity, we’re here, we’re queer, and if we have to write our own stories to be ‘part of your world’ then that’s exactly what we’re going to do.


HAPPILY EVER POOFTER
Created by: Rich Watkins
Directed by: Denholm Spurr
Choreographed by: Simone Murphy
King’s Head Theatre,
21st January - 8 February

@happilyeverpoofter

★ ★ ★ ★ ★