If you were wandering past the legendary London Palladium last night you must have been wondering what all the extravagantly dressed crowds were doing there. They were clamoring to get inside to see the original cast members of Boy George’s TABOO reunite for just two nights. It’s all part of a campaign to bring the show back for a long run.
It’s been 20 years since it opened in a tiny venue off Leicester Square and was a great success and nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Musical, and Paul Baker winning for Best Supporting Actor. Rosie O’Donnell was so enamored with it she took it to Broadway but not before totally rewriting and recasting. Her production however got the most savage reviews and closed after just 100 performances having lost her $100 million.
There was a very successful revival of the London production in 2012 which picked up the WhatsOnStage Best Off-West End Production Award
Word on the street is that this production starring Julian Clary as Leigh Bowery, then Sam Buttery, Boy George as himself; John Partridge and Mark McGee as a pair of dueling Marilyns; Bennett duetting with Evans via video link; plus Paul Baker, who was the original Philip Sallon was a total blast. As did Boy George who said“I think the show needs to come back” to thunderous applause. Ahead of its time as a celebration of sexuality, inclusivity and the Other, Taboo’s time has truly come.
The two-nighter was held to raise funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust and Shelter.
Labels: 2022, Boy George, revival, Taboo
