A masterclass in tragedy, comedy, and high-glamour anxiety that proves it is always Monsoon season.
End of the Rainbow, starring Jinkx Monsoon, tells the story of Judy Garland coming to London for a 6 week concert run, accompanied by her new manager/fiance, and battling the demons she has fought all her life. This play has a storied history with iconic previous stars. Not only must any leading lady contend with the ghost of the legendary Judy Garland, but she must also match up to Renée Zellweger’s devastating, Oscar-winning screen adaptation. It is a monumental mountain to climb. Yet, the moment the house lights dim, it becomes thrillingly clear that Jinkx Monsoon is more than up to the task.
This production’s full, unabashed title is “Jinkx Monsoon as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow”, and let there be no mistake, this is firmly Jinkx’s show. While Monsoon is widely adored for her peerless comedic chops, this heavier, more dramatic role allows her to shine in entirely new dimensions. There are, of course, razor-sharp one-liners which Monsoon delivers with perfection, but where she truly triumphs is in the script’s darker depths. Monsoon mines the real, raw tragedy of Garland’s twilight era, delivering a fully realized, deeply human portrayal that avoids cheap mimicry at every turn.
This musical play is punctuated by iconic numbers performed either on stage or during frantic rehearsals in her hotel room. When Monsoon sings, the room stops breathing. Possessing an effortlessly powerful and commanding voice, she holds the audience utterly enraptured. It is a definitive star vehicle, and what an absolute, blinding star she is.
Though Monsoon commands the spotlight, she is flanked by a pair of equally stellar performances. Jacob Dudman shines as Garland’s enabling, fresh-faced fiancé Mickey Deans, and Adam Filipe brings a profound, anchoring warmth to her devoted pianist Anthony. Quilter’s script beautifully develops both of these men, and both actors play their parts with effortless aplomb, bringing to life an emotionally complex tug-of-war for Judy’s affection and survival.
Visually, the production is an absolute feast thanks to the exquisite work of designer Jasmine Swan. The costuming is a total delight, treating the audience to a succession of fabulous, glittering outfits, including one smoothly executed, on-stage quick change that rightfully elicited rapturous whoops from the crowd. Swan’s set is equally impressive. A glamorous yet tasteful arrangement of white, fabric-covered steps centered around a grand piano. It strikes the perfect visual chord the moment you walk into the theatre being opulent and atmospheric without ever becoming ostentatious.
End of the Rainbow is a masterclass in theatrical energy, beautifully balancing the ebbs and flows of comedy and gripping drama. Packed with sensational vocals, top-tier acting, and a palpable heartbeat, the evening feels less like a standard night at the theatre and more like a genuine moment in entertainment history.
End of the Rainbow is playing at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow until the 21st June