70 minutes packed with pure joy, vulnerability, and surprises!
Cabaret king Jonny Woo captivates audiences with his dazzling one-man show, Jonny Woo: Suburbia. Jonny Woo takes us on an adventure-filled chronological journey, starting with his childhood in the suburbs, exploring his identity and sexuality in London’s queer community, and culminating in the pulsating nightlife of New York City.
Jonny Woo excels at blending various artistic forms to deliver a seamless performance, effortlessly shifting between tones, and moving from serious to joyous to emotional with remarkable ease. Opening with a powerful number that had the audience cheering, Woo continued to captivate with one surprise after another while always being impeccably dressed for each moment. The show is worth seeing for the costumes alone, which come with a moving backstory that Jonny Woo weaves into the show.
It is clear that Jonny Woo is a seasoned performer; he engaged the audience effortlessly, and navigated any small mishaps with ease and charisma. What I appreciate most about this show is Jonny Woo’s vulnerability; he reflects deeply on his journey and shares honestly with the audience. It feels as though I had a front-row seat to his life as he relives pivotal moments of growing up as a queer man, particularly during the AIDS epidemic, and the impact it had on his relationships and sense of identity. In one especially poignant moment, Woo challenges the audience’s perceptions, inviting us to reflect on how we view people based on their AIDS diagnosis.
This show is perfect for those who are in the queer community and familiar with such cabaret performances, but also for those who may not identify with the community. At the very least, you will be entertained for 70 minutes straight and in the best case scenario, the show offers universal themes that resonate with us all, encouraging reflection on shared human experiences.
Jonny Woo is at Soho Theatre until the 25th Jan. Tickets here.