“The Great Garlic Girls – 40 years” on Laughter – Reviews and recommendations

This review was written before the night’s attack in Oslo. Reviewer notes: This was suddenly and unexpectedly an important, but also difficult review to publish. Great Garlic Girls is a group that has fought for diversity and tolerance for queer culture for over 40 years, and today it is therefore extra important for me to mention these indispensable actors in culture-Norway. Terje Schrøder in Great Garlic Girls states via his spokesperson Preben Utne: “We have chosen not to let ourselves be broken by hatred and the brutal attack that happened last night. We dedicate Saturday’s performance to those who lost their lives, the injured who are in hospital, the bereaved and the relatives. Terje will hold an appeal on stage before tonight’s performance begins. We do not feel that we can let those who attack LGBTQ + win the battle. The Great Garlic Girls continue to fight for everyone to live safely and love whoever they want, as we have done for 40 years. ” Review: “The Great Garlic Girls – 40 years” The Great Garlic Girls themselves, or “The Big Garlic Girls” directly translated, are currently celebrating 40 years with a breathtaking drag show. Technically, they are 41 years old, but it was probably some virus that took the rat at last year’s anniversary celebration. Then it was fitting that the main stage at Latter was vacant just during this year’s big pride weekend in Oslo – because what is more tailored for this weekend than celebrating 40 years with some of the most legendary representatives of queer culture? This gang has been fighting for diversity and tolerance in the entertainment industry since those words were almost completely foreign. 60 people on stage Great Garlic Girls have had many different compositions over the years, but Terje Schrøder is probably the name most people associate with the group. Schrøder has been a member since 1983, and is also the prime mover for tonight’s performance. With him on stage are the ring foxes Dean Erik Andersen and Ronny Wilhelm. And a drum corps, a gospel choir, cheerleaders, seven break dancers and 15 gladiators, then. Magnificent After a somewhat long introductory film that shows both recklessly cut memories from his long career and a perpetual list of thanks, the audience will finally get to meet the garlic girls live. The joy is therefore great when the 15 previously mentioned gladiators roll the empress herself, Terje Schrøder, onto the stage. When it is followed up with visits from Hvitsten Drum Corps and the talented cheerleaders from OCT Galaxy, I begin to suspect the text from the welcome pamphlet to be in something. It claims that tonight’s performance is GGG’s biggest ever. Nothing has been spared here, and you can only wave goodbye to moderation first and foremost. PARTY MOOD: A drum corps, a gospel choir, cheerleaders, seven break dancers and 15 gladiators provide the atmosphere. Photo: Marco Zimberlin Too long opening During the rather rigidly choreographed opening number, the memory wall continues on the screen behind the stage, and it makes one wonder if it had kept with reminiscent still images as an accompaniment to the performance. Then you could have dropped the parodically long opening film. Enough about that. The garlic girls’ stiffness loosens quickly, and attention is drawn to the simply wonderful costumes and wigs that still sit like a shot on the gradually emerging drag stars. When, during “Like a Prayer”, Madonna’s iconic round dance with blasphemy, they are joined by a festive gospel choir, a ball goes hot in the hall. The jubilation is in the air, and glamor and opulence take over for a messy opening. GOLD AND GLITTER: You can only wave goodbye to moderation first and foremost. Photo: Marco Zimberlin Lame standup There is also room for an ever so small satire sketch where we get to join Terje Schrøder’s mobile phone. Classic jokes such as that he pretends to be 22 years old on Grindr do not exactly invent the powder, but Dean Erik Andersen has a delicious and unfiltered charm that undoubtedly hits the audience. When the sketch also eventually reveals that Schrøder has been tricked by the Grindrs swindler, it is a pity that the punchline does not have time to land before the main character himself bursts onto the stage and welcomes the audience. All the time this show takes place on the humor scene Laughter, we must be able to wish for more of the timing here. The quick exchange of remarks about the new government that follows between Andersen and Schrøder is also somewhat lame, but goes straight home to the public. VAKLEVOREN SATIRE: The stand-up parts of the show have a bit to go on before it sits completely. Photo: MARCO ZIMBERLIN Like a long party A Great Garlic Girls show is as unpredictable and intense as a three-week continuous party compressed into an hour and a half show. A three-week party is doomed to include some reckless mistakes and some hiccups, but you would have gone home a long time ago if it was not the most fun. And just like at a party: If you manage to look past the shaky dialogues and instead focus on sequins, feathers, glitter and glamor, you will enjoy yourself anyway. news reviewer Photo: Marco Zimberlin Title: «The Great Garlic Girls – 40 years» When and where: Laughter, Oslo, 24 and 25 June 2022. Norway tour this autumn. Script, direction and idea: Terje Schrøder Production manager and script: Preben Utne Choreography: Markus Christensen, Terje Schrøder Costumes: Cårejånni Enderud, Terje Schrøder, Dean Erik Andersen, Ronny Wilhelm, Thomas Bagaka’s Wigs: Terje Schrøder, Stian Fuglerud Sound design: Kjetil Husøy Lysdes : Olaf Rød Aadne



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