Ever since winning RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 and later being crowned the “Queen of All Queens” on All Stars 7, Jinkx Monsoon has become much more than a drag superstar. With acclaimed Broadway and West End performances, television roles, and a reputation as one of the sharpest storytellers in live entertainment, Speaking of Witch strips away the spectacle to focus on the performer herself. The result is an evening of stand-up, personal storytelling and live music that is intimate, funny and, at times, surprisingly moving.
The show weaves together anecdotes about politics, growing up, addiction, dating, gender identity, coming out as trans, transitioning, and the strange realities of navigating fame in an increasingly chaotic world. Jinkx has always possessed an effortless gift for balancing razor-sharp comedy with genuine vulnerability, and that talent is on full display here. One moment the room is roaring with laughter, the next it’s completely silent as she reflects on some of the more difficult chapters of her life.
Between the stories, she is joined by longtime collaborators Major Scales & The Badlings for a series of musical numbers, including both original songs and covers of Freddie Mercury, Miley Cyrus, The Kinks, and Chappell Roan. While the songs occasionally interrupt the flow of the storytelling, they also provide welcome moments to reset before the next chapter unfolds, adding another layer to an already eclectic evening.
Unfortunately, the night got off to a shaky start with support act Lukas Arnold. His American-style observational humour never quite found its footing with a Manchester audience. Many jokes relied on cultural references that simply didn’t translate while others stretched into lengthy anecdotes that struggled to reach satisfying punchlines. Whether it was the oppressive heat inside Albert Hall or simply an awkward mismatch of styles, Arnold never managed to fully engage the crowd. The occasional sympathetic chuckle was about as good as it got, making him a rather odd choice to open for someone as naturally charismatic as Jinkx.
The venue itself also became an unexpected obstacle. Albert Hall was uncomfortably hot throughout the evening, with staff handing out water while much of the audience resorted to using programmes as makeshift fans. Several people left during the performance for fresh air, and even Jinkx acknowledged the conditions by changing outfits midway through the show.
That said, Jinkx remained every bit the consummate entertainer. Even as the heat visibly took its toll on the room, her wit and extraordinary stage presence never wavered. She effortlessly carried the audience through deeply personal confessions, biting political observations and beautifully delivered songs, reminding everyone exactly why she’s become one of drag’s most celebrated live performers.
Speaking of Witch succeeds because it feels authentically Jinkx: clever, heartfelt, theatrical and wonderfully strange. It’s a show that embraces vulnerability just as readily as comedy, and that honesty is what makes it resonate long after the curtain falls. Had it not been for an underwhelming support act and the almost unbearable conditions inside Albert Hall, this could easily have earned a higher rating. As it was, the witchcraft was undeniable – it just had to fight through the heat to cast its spell.
Tickets aren’t cheap, with standard admission starting from around £45 (before booking fees) while VIP experiences can cost as much as £150. Given the quality of Jinkx’s performance, they’re not unreasonable prices, but the overall experience doesn’t quite justify the premium. If you’d like to fall under her spell yourself, you can conjure up the remaining UK tour dates online.
Jinkx Monsoon tours the UK with Speaking of Witch until July 16.
Photo: Robert Gyorgyi at JaDar
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