Angels of the North soar in Newcastle as Drag Race's North East icons have epic homecoming

There was the homecoming to end all homecomings for Drag Race UK season 5's North East queens on Monday night, as they sold out Newcastle City Hall, performing in front of a captive audience of more than two thousand people and delivering a show they can be immensely proud of.

There is a reason why there was an all North East final in Drag Race last year and that's because County Durham winner Ginger Johnson, runner up Michael Marouli from Whitley Bay and third place queen, Hartlepool's Tomara Thomas, are all amazing and dynamic performers. There was no argument from any viewers that it was those three left in contention from the 2023 crown and when their talents are combined, the result is total magic.

There was a surprise cameo from season one champion The Vivienne to introduce the Angels to the stage, 24 hours before she opened as The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz down the road at the Theatre Royal and from that moment on, the crowd ate up every single second. I'm sure, given the popularity of Drag Race UK and the love for Ginger, Michael and Tomara, fans would have been happy with two hours of killer lip syncs and full out choreo, but the Angels of the North tour is much, much more than that.

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As well as being pure entertainment from start to finish, there was a clear structure to proceedings, with the premise being that our three heroines are Alan's Angels, with the trio tasked by Alan Carr, to find out the culprits behind the disappearances of Cheryl, Denise Welch and Charlotte Crosby and things unfolding in camp and captivating fashion as both the group numbers and solo routines fired on all cylinders.

Everything from Michael Jackson to Celine Dion and Catherine Tate's Bernie the nurse to Barbara Cartland were used as inspiration for the , while the group numbers included a nun themed Sisters are Doin' It for Themselves, a powerful take on Chicago's Cell Block Tango, including a change of lyrics to mention Geordie institution Greggs and the highlight, the queens' high energy star turn in Drag Race girl group banger Don't Ick My Yum.

Angels of the North was a show that ticks all the boxes. It has unreal costumes, local references aplenty, brilliant songs, fantastic staging and most importantly, an incredible cast, who, as well as oozing star quality, charm and personality, were clearly blown away by the wealth of support for them on home turf as the decibels kept climbing and climbing as the night went on.

The night ended with a version of We Are Family, a very apt curtain closer as the bond between Ginger, Michael and Tomara, each mighty performer in their own right, is undeniable and. as all three stood at the back of stage looking out on their adoring public as the music ended, they received a reception fit for royalty, that they will surely remember for a long, long time.

Take a bow queens and soak up every single bit of applause, as you all thoroughly deserve all the acclaim sure to come your way.

Angels. Icons. Legends.