The thing about “alternative” Christmas shows is that they can often be the most Christmassy things you’ll see all season, aside from your drunk auntie Doris snoozing in the corner with her party hat on. Queerness has certainly been at the heart of Christmas programming for the past few years at Wales Millennium Centre, where we’ve seen XXXMas Carol and The Lion, The B!tch and The Wardrobe from Duncan Hallis’ team of queer cabaret stars. So what better way to complete the trilogy than with the story of the Nativity?
As you might expect, The First XXXmas is incredibly festive and a chance for every queer kid to finally see the Nativity that they wanted to act out at school. In may case that would have meant playing the star, covered in sparkles, and shouting at Mrs. Jones about the real meaning of Christmas and that Jesus was both a person of colour and a refugee of course. It also includes some Welsh, and a balloon Jesus that is a lot less scary looking than the creepy Jesus doll we used at school.
The First XXXmas is the queer nativity of dreams, narrated by Polly Amorous, who surprisingly finds herself in the virginal role of Mary. She takes us through meetings with Joseph (“he can handle his wood…”), shepherds, wise men, and very bossy sheep. Assisted in her quest (or vying for the spotlight) are Jenna Dyckhoff, Rahim El Habachi, FooFoo LaBelle, Eric McGill and Bunmi Odumosu. Each of these mix jaw-dropping aerial work with comedy cabaret making the evening a true variety act. Jenna Dyckhoff expertly accompanied and provided music before also performing in drag king persona alongside Polly. Meanwhile, FooFoo LaBelle is delightfully entertaining whether in 80s Jane Fonda mode or as an Amazon Parcel (trust me, it makes sense in context). Aerial performers Eric McGill and Bunmi Odumosu are jaw-droppingly talented with trapeze and rope routines that are astounding to watch. Rahim El Habachi gives comedy in act one (he’s a Roman Solider don’t you know!) and a visceral dance in the second.
There is a serious undercurrent to the piece in act two and El Habachi’s performance, in which he dances a powerful routine under a “Jesus was a Refugee” banner, is the flip side of this festive cabaret. El Habachi was a refugee himself who has now made his life in Cardiff as part of the city’s performance scene. The show shifts gears to both call out the government, with a powerful performance from Eric McGill here too; overconsumption, demonstrated by FooFoo Labelle; and ends on messages of queer hope for Christmas, and honestly, it feels far more authentic delivered by a drag queen in a queer cabaret than the message of Christmas often does elsewhere.
The First XXXmas is a gloriously camp and joyful affair with an impactful undercurrent of seriousness and a uplifting festive message of hope. The idea that one drag queen can make a difference, just like any of us can, is one to take to heart at Christmas. As a final in the trilogy as the WMC’s alternative Christmas offerings, this is a fun, glittery and heartfelt affair that speaks to Cardiff’s queer community. And, really, what’s more Christmassy than that?
By Emily Garside
The First XXXmas: A Very Naughty-Tivity runs at Wales Millennium Centre’s Weston Studio until Sunday, December 31st, 2023. For more details and to purchase tickets head to wmc.org.uk.
