Jinkx Monsoon: ‘I think Judy Garland would approve of queer people playing queer icons’

Last night, Soho Theatre Walthamstow celebrated the official opening of End of the Rainbow, with RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Jinkx Monsoon taking on the role of a lifetime in one Judy Garland.

Peter Quilter’s 2005 drama – which made its West End premiere (anchored by a tour-de-force performance from Tracie Bennett) in 2010, following a run at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate – explores the months leading up to Garland’s death in the late 1960s, during the infamous London concert series entitled “The Talk of the Town”. That banner would fatefully gain nuanced meaning due to the fading star’s battles with addiction, clearly visible during her onstage performances.

The play would transfer to Broadway in 2012 and be adapted into a 2019 film (simply titled Judy), which earned Renée Zellweger an Oscar.

End of the Rainbow is perhaps as much a star vehicle opportunity as it is a daunting undertaking for any performer, and Monsoon – primarily known for her comedic chops – confided to WhatsOnStage during a post-show interview last night that she “didn’t think anyone would ask me to play a dramatic role and so I took some convincing.” Ultimately, however, she was so glad she was persuaded as she is “really proud of what we have created” with “an amazing group of people”.

As a proud LBTQIA+ performer, she went on to say that the experience has been a “wonderful testament to where we are right now in our community, where queer people are playing the queer icons” and described it as “special and significant”. She continued to express that “the more I’ve learned about Judy, the more I think she’d really approve, you know.”

Garland’s support of (and adoration from) the queer community is well-documented, highlighted by the “Friend of Dorothy” phrase becoming a secret code for gay men to covertly identify themselves during the mid-20th century; of course, a nod to her signature role in The Wizard of Oz. Monsoon’s turn as the late movie musical icon continues through to 21 June, deep into Pride month, and she spoke candidly about the gravity of the current climate and how the play, although a period piece, reflects the need for supporting each other more than ever.

“I think Pride changes for me throughout my life,” she elaborated. “It’s been a celebration. It’s been an act of defiance. And right now, it feels like an act of survival. So many people are getting away with so much terrible behaviour, and yet we’re here taking care of each other because that’s what we’ve always done. And that’s what I feel this show is about in a lot of ways, you know. The strength of our community and how important it can be in someone’s life.”

Monsoon, who has already added Broadway credits that include Chicago, Pirates! The Penzance Musical and Oh, Mary! to her resumé (as well as the hit Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors), plans to be no stranger to the stage in future, even revealing to us what her dream role would be. “I will play Mrs Lovett someday, if people know what they’re doing,” she teased. We at WhatsOnStage (selfishly) hope there’s “No Place Like London” when it comes to choosing a theatre if Sweeney Todd and Jinkx Monsoon ever combine forces in the future.