The Soho Theatre has a consistently imaginative booking policy but this camp off-Broadway import, mixing cross-dressing, comedy patter and a genuine sales pitch for Tupperware storage goods, failed to press my buttons. I had misgivings when I was given a name tag at the start — audience participation alert! — and they stayed with me through to the squirm-inducing singalong finale.
One hurdle is that Dixie Longate, the red-haired, gingham-clad creation of Kris Andersson, is simply too similar to homegrown trailer trash spoof Tina C. From the rapidfire delivery and “hell, yeah” asides to the references to tragic relationships, this frequently felt like a Tina C tribute act. The crowd involvement failed to help. Who, apart from easily-pleased hen parties, would want to pay to see someone open a can of creamed rice while a drag artist makes suggestive jokes?
This concept has been a hit in Manhattan. Maybe there is a stronger Tupperware party tradition there. I laughed occasionally, but actually preferred the serious subtext about pioneering post-WW2 salesperson Brownie Wise, who made the cover of Business Week. Dixie’s product range is for sale at the exit. Like the show, however, I didn’t buy it.
Dixie’s Tupperware Party runs until May 19 (020 7478 0100, sohotheatre.com) .
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