Nancy Clench: Yes Queen

Review by Cat Cochrane | 31 Mar 2014

When a 6'5" tall drag queen, shoulder-to-toe in tartan, sipping vodka and coke whilst waving a kissed copy of The White Paper takes to the stage, unremarkably it’s jaws not eyes that hit the floor.

With her divinely towering stature, the omnipotence of Fife's own Nancy Clench in Yes Queen mode is like a wet shoulder charge to the senses from the word go. That’s no bad thing, as this comedic sift through burning questions of this year’s Referendum debate is certain to keep a room of randoms on their political toes.

A demographic poll starts the gig and sets the scene – where are my gays? Where are my straights? Who’s voting Yes? Who’s going for No? Political and sexual allegiances aired and shared, it’s time to get down to those vital topics, such as, what would happen to Channel 5 in an independent Scotland? It’s a hot potato, which blends nicely with a later question of just where will Scots stand on eating English mustard?

Claiming to have introduced Alex Salmond to the 5:2 diet, Nancy’s credentials appear valid. The fact that she is both deftly wry, occasionally filthy and a parliamentary assistant by day purely adds to the colour.

The success of the show relies on the energy and up-for-it-ness of the audience. With few No voters or ‘undecideds’ available for a bit of Nancy, Yes Queen persuasion, there is a lack of banter which causes the comedy buzz to peak and trough. If Blair McDougall and his entourage had stumbled in it would have been dynamite.  

Proving that you can choose your family but not your audience, Nancy ensures that you’ll never look at Johann Lamont, the Daily Mail nor a tube of Pringles the same way again. Though whatever your leaning, it’s impossible not to just Clench back and think of Scotland.

 

Sun 16 Mar 2014, 7.30 @pm Vespbar