Charlie Hides | Connections Nightclub | Saturday 22 July | ★ ★ ★ ½

Charlie Hides returned to Connections Nightclub taking to the stage for a 90 minute stand up show that mixed comedy and music.

Recalling her recent experience as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Hides has plenty of shade to throw at the other drag queens who she had competed against. Her comic delivery was peppered with witty one liners and wry comments.

The entertainer broke up her stand up delivery with occasional songs including the catchy The Dame, Don’t Call Us and I Don’t Care If You Think I’m a Bitch, as Long as You Think I’m Thin.  Hides is no great singer but the strength of her act is the clever word play in her songs.  

There was fun interaction as Hides chatted with audience members, an older straight couple were good sports as Hides suggested how they’d come to be at a drag show in gay club. Under-dressed lesbians were also fair game for the drag star’s barbs.

The second part of the show saw Hides return to the impersonations that she is well known for. In quick succession there were appearances from Cher, Conchita Wurst, Liza Minnelli and Joan Rivers.

The show took an unexpected and serious turn in its final moments as Hides spoke about the generation of gay men lost to HIV/AIDS. A poignant moment filled with emotion, Hides finished the night by singing Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours. 

A fun show that had a lot of laughs.

Graeme Watson