Words by Daniel Marshall, Attitude's Freelance Editorial Assistant & Editor of The Gay Stage

Rating: ****

If I had been told that last Thursday night I’d be sat in a trendy Brixton bar next to Steve Strange, watching somebody play Steve Strange on stage – there’s a tongue twister for ya! – I’d have told them they were crazy. I’d be right, of course, because Taboo – The Boy George Musical is crazy. It’s a musical-come-cabaret-come-biodrama-come-concert. And it’s incredible.

Having enjoyed a great deal of success last year, Taboo has now been given an extended run at Brixton Club House and features a host of new cast members, many of whom are making their professional debuts.  Paul Treacy (Boy George) is one such performer who deserves a huge amount of credit. Paul’s voice is like white chocolate pouring into your soul. From the moment he opens his mouth, you can feel the audience quite literally melting into their seats and it’s testament to him that, on so many occasions, it’s genuinely easy to believe that you really are watching a young Boy George dazzle audiences with his bizarre beauty. Simply magical.

Of course, Boy George didn’t enjoy the early stages of his career alone – he was just one member of a somewhat messed up (but pretty successful, nonetheless) motley crew. Cast members Paul Baker (Philip Sallon),  Jordan Luke-Gage (Marilyn) and The Voice’s Sam Buttery (Leigh Bowery) all did a fantastic job of giving us a taste of the 1980s high-life, full of big characters making big statements, often to the point of bringing the audience to hysterics.

In particular, Sam’s purposefully grotesque depiction of Leigh Bowery became truly brilliant when he was able to shed all pretence and bring a rowdy audience to complete silence. Sam’s monologue, as his character contemplates his imminent death, is poignant and moving – an unwavering confirmation of Mr Buttery’s acting abilities, which compliment his Tom-Jones-approved, fabulous vocal talents.

On the whole, the narrative of this indulgent piece of theatre is very enjoyable to watch. Aided by Boy George classics, the first half is a thrill for anyone with a shred of fun in their body and the use of the venue is, at times, massively impressive. My only criticism would be that the second act did suffer a little from a dip in energy, though Devon-Elise Johnson (Kim), Julia Worsley (Josey) and Paul Baker did astound the audience and re-energise the performance with an unbelievably awesome number that got everyone dancing – even the stern-faced critics sat behind me.

Taboo is a must-see for anyone who enjoys watching larger than life characters deliver larger than life performances. Brixton Club House is a funky venue, though my only suggestion would be to lower the price of wine (£6 a glass is a little OTT) and to invest in some comfier chairs (plastic isn’t great for a show that lasts almost 3 hours).  On the whole, an outstanding musical.