Overview
- The Soho Theatre Walthamstow revival opened with Jinkx Monsoon in the lead role of Judy Garland for a limited run through 21 June 2026.
- Reviewers across press nights on May 21–22 singled out Monsoon’s singing, posture and comic timing as a powerful, often dazzling portrayal of Garland.
- Several critics criticised the production’s tone and pacing, specifically calling out an overlong ending and a narrated device used to handle Garland’s fate that some found to blunt the emotional impact.
- Design and direction received mixed notice: Jasmine Swan’s period costumes and the show’s band were praised, while some reviewers found Rupert Hands’ staging indulgent and the supporting characters underwritten.
- The casting is being discussed as a culturally significant moment for queer representation on London stages, and the run has drawn strong ticket interest as part of a broader trend of drag performers appearing in mainstream theatre roles.