[rating=3]
140 min • Above the Stag, London • Until May 4, 2014

Saucy songs, tongue-in-cheek fun, and Kenneth Williams steals the show. That sounds about right.

“Cruising number ‘Another Night, Another Man’ is one of the show’s stand out songs, making George Michael’s previous nod to male toilet activity, ‘Outside’, look like a nursery rhyme in comparison.”

Lucille, verses 26-37, Polari Bible.

David Benson, with the spirit of Kenneth Williams upon him, reads from the Polari Bible of how the fairy Gabriel foretold the birth of the saviour, Josie Crystal.

“And the fairy trolled in unto her, and cackled, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Duchess is with thee: fabed art thou among palones.'”

An interview with Paul Baker, author of Fantabulosa: A Dictionary of Polari and Gay Slang.

Polari is a voice from another era, and is remembered best through the Round the Horne characters Julian and Sandy. Who better to explain the phenomenon than Paul Baker?

It’s important to remember the role Polari played in the lives of gay men and lesbians. It’s a testament to their creativity, humour and tenacity.