A musical marathon in the middle of the night that is anything less than out of this world.
In 1995, Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens premièred at C Venues during the Edinburgh Fringe. Since its opening night it has been revived around the world gaining quite the cult following.
Leven Productions’ latest adaption of this much appreciated tale doesn’t quite live up to the inflated expectations surrounding the piece but does do everything necessary to keep the audience from falling asleep as the clock strikes midnight.
Set in the seedy backdrop of Saucy Jack’s Bar on planet Frottage Three, there is murder in abundance as cabaret singers are getting killed off, one by one, by a high-heel to the chest. It is up to the glitter-infused Space Vixens (think Charlie’s Angels meets The Powerpuff Girls) to solve the problem and save the day.
The show itself is well polished and is well directed by Michael Fidler in a fantastic and perfect venue. The traverse staging (although at times causing sightline issues) is creative and exciting with a raised platform on one side and the working bar on the other.
The majority of the cast does a good job at keeping the room alive, although Jamie Birkett as Space Vixen Jubilee steals the show by a long mile with her beautiful vocals and high range. Her acting is also superb, but marred by Ralph Bogard’s overacted portrayal of her onstage lover Saucy Jack. His improvised conversations with the audiences made the whole piece feel more like pantomime than a cult musical.
Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens is certainly a fun night out and will leave you with lyrics such as “Glitterboots Saved My Life” embedded on the brain. Whether it is worth the £15 price tag is debatable but, with the number of sequins used in the production, you’ll certainly leave with a sparkle in your eye.