Taylor Mac

It's the first 3 hours, described as "Part 1," of a 24 hour show, retelling the "24-Decade History of Popular Music in America." This means we get the first 30 years of US history, rather than the full 240 years of US history, as the show deals with one decade every hour.

It is a drag show, and an orchestra show, performance art, and a history, a succession of songs, a savage act of forced audience participation if you are in the front few rows (I found myself in a skirt), and a riotous send-up of US history. The songs are taken from the period of US history being described, and are mostly performed by Taylor Mac in various fabulous outfits, as well as some very much less fabulous ones lol.

I was particularly delighted that he was accompanied by the warm embracing presence of Le Gateau Chocolat, at one point, though he has many great collaborators from all over the place.

The full show has played in the US and Australia, and according to Taylor Mac last night, was in negotiations to play at the NT, who promptly dropped out of negotiations, stating a commitment to dealing with the British Zeitgeist, whereupon Taylor deadpanned, they immediately put on "Angels in America."

He did not explain why the Barbican is only giving us the first 3 hours, so I'd speculate that either the Barbican is not zoned for 24 hour shows, or that they doubted whether enough of us would commit to a show like that. In any event, Mac said he only enjoyed dissing organisations who don't put his show on at all, so the Barbican is in his good books.

I saw Mark Shenton there last night, in high spirits, snapping pictures with relish, so I expect you can preview the show on his twitter.

I thought the show was rollicking good fun from start to finish, but only became outstanding in the third hour, when the Temperance Movement entered stage right as an antagonist to Mac. Mac is a feisty, funny and belligerent soul, and having an onstage antagonist made a world of difference.

And having someone to boo woke up the British pantomime soul. A previously coy, shy and participation-avoidant audience suddenly became raucous, screaming swearwords at the stage. This was much more fun, and it led me to wondering where the next 21 hours would have gone, given that the audience were only just getting warmed up.

4 stars.

Running Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes.