Drag Queens vs Zombies @ Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose

Crudi Dench and Kate Butch offer a lot of laughs and some apocalyptic glamour in their Edinburgh Fringe show Drag Queens vs Zombies

Review by Len Lukowski | 16 Aug 2022
  • Drag Queens vs Zombies @ Gilded Balloon

Is there a more perfect combination of art forms than horror and drag? Horror, particularly when the budget is low, is naturally high on camp. Take the schlocky works of filmmaker Ed Wood or the show Dragula as case studies. Drag Queens vs Zombies uses this winning combination for a fun, high energy show that anyone would be hard-pressed to come out of without a smile.

Feuding hosts Crudi Dench and Kate Butch waste no time in getting the audience amped up, making their entrance to a rousing, prophetic rendition of I Will Survive. The night begins as a conventional drag show, with members of the audience singled out and asked what they do. One person tells us they've just finished their A-levels and are going to Durham University – 'Enjoy studying to be a posh twat!' comes the quick-witted response.

But there's one audience member, who can be heard off-stage, who sounds rather unwell, responding to Kate and Crudi's questions only in guttural groans. The first act is introduced as Elton John, before the point of view switches to backstage, showing the queens shading each other, whilst looking after Elton's newly adopted baby, before news of the zombie apocalypse reaches them and the night gets weirder.

There is much to enjoy about the show – Kate and Crudi's frenemy chemistry is as delectable as their outfits; they are quick-witted when interacting with the audience and even their most self-consciously cheap gags raise a wry smile. The mostly off-stage zombie scenes work well. For instance, Crudi's zombie fight scene, in which various body parts flail in the air to the sound of punches from behind a door. The show doesn't necessarily offer up much that is surprising or new, but it does offer a lot of laughs and some apocalyptic glamour. Indeed, it does what it says on the tin – drag queens fighting zombies; what's not to like?


Drag Queens vs Zombies, Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Dram), until 28 Aug (not 15, 22), 10.20pm, £9-12