Salty Brine, These are the Contents of My Head at Soho Theatre

I didn't know what to expect from Salty Brine. I'm never quite sure that I'm the target audience for drag acts at Soho Theatre. After all, I'm CIS female, straight and certainly old enough to be the artiste's mother. I've been a bit non-plussed by some of those that I've seen there in the last few months feeling that they were aimed squarely at a queer, male audience and misogyny is also evident more times than I would like. 

I needn't have worried with this show. Salty is different. They had something to say that could touch anyone in the audience so it had a more universal appeal. Sure, there were things in it that a gay man would relate to more than me, but that feeling of being an outsider and trying to fit in in places where you're never really going to fit in resonated. 

The show is clever in that weaves Brine's Judy Garland singing persona, the songs of Annie Lennox's album DIVA, the Kate Chopin book 'The Awakening' (required reading in US schools apparently) and the tale of Brine's own upbringing. Despite this seemingly complex premise, it was easy and fun to be carried along with the adept storytelling, the wonderful singing and music. The whole thing was engaging, thoughtful and funny - a complete theatrical experience rather than a song cycle with anecdotes. 

A special mention should go out to Brine's band. What a treat to have a full ensemble on stage instead of a soundtrack. The musical arrangements were superb and Brine's Musical Director, Ben Langhorst, is also an absolute hoot! This show has style, pzazz aplenty and yet retains the human story at it's core. 

The next time Salty hits Blighty, I'm there!