REVIEW: END OF THE RAINBOW @ SOHO THEATRE WALTHAMSTOW

🎭 End of the Rainbow

📍 Soho Theatre Walthamstow, 186 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London, E17 4QH

🗓 Thursday 21st May 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

MONSOON OVER THE RAINBOW

It's safe to say that I was absolutely buzzing with excitement for this one! Walking into the grand, newly restored Soho Theatre Walthamstow, you could instantly feel the electricity. The venue is breathtaking, and the entire auditorium feels like an extension of the stage. The set itself is elegantly simple yet brilliantly effective, transitioning effortlessly from the claustrophobia of Judy’s London hotel room to the glitz of the legendary Talk of the Town nightclub.

For those who don't know the premise, Peter Quilter’s eloquent script focuses on a very specific, volatile period of Garland's life: December 1968. I loved that it didn’t try to incorporate her entire life story, as so many of these bio-shows seem to do. Instead, it takes this razor-sharp snapshot of her final London comeback run, exploring her genius and her demons with total honesty. The plot is a harrowing backstage drama tracking Judy over six grueling weeks as she fights a losing battle against severe substance abuse, financial ruin, and the crushing weight of her own legacy. It is a tragic tale that doesn’t sugarcoat anything.

Of course, the big talking point is Jinkx Monsoon. Jinkx has a well-documented personal history with Judy; Garland has always been a massive inspiration and means the absolute world to her. Knowing that history made the evening feel incredibly special. There is a deep poignancy to Jinkx’s queer identity here, adding even more gravitas to the night, and allowing her to tap into a profound, generational understanding of Garland's status as the ultimate queer deity. This identity shapes the entire performance; Jinkx inherently understands the theatricality of Judy’s survival, viewing her not just as a tragic figure, but as a performer who weaponised her own vulnerability for an audience that mirrored her pain. This isn't some over-the-top, camp caricature. Instead, Monsoon uses the meticulous craft of drag to completely inhabit the very being of the icon, bridging the gap between historical impression and a living, breathing queer lineage. It felt so authentic that it could almost be Judy herself standing on that stage.

It is, without a doubt, a career-defining performance that left me totally awe-struck. Her vocals during "Come Rain or Shine" were simply sensational, tearing through the auditorium with raw power. But the real masterstroke? The beautiful, understated rendition of "Over the Rainbow" to close the show. It would be so easy to over-sing this moment just to end on a massive vocal climax, but this stunning creative choice was pitched perfectly - quiet, vulnerable, and a real thing of beauty. Throughout the show, we laugh at Judy’s sharp wit, but there is a constant, nagging sadness as we realise exactly where those jokes are coming from. The piece is comical yet deeply devastating at the same time.

The supporting cast are just as formidable, and we see Judy completely shift and change depending on which man she is interacting with. Jacob Dudman is spectacular as Mickey Deans, Judy’s fifth and final husband. Dudman perfectly captures a man masquerading as a caregiver, yet still pumping her full of pills just to get her on stage. He provides a chilling visual representation of all the industry figures who took advantage of Judy from an early age.

On the flip side, Adam Filipe gives a gorgeous performance, with his Anthony encapsulating all those who idolised Judy. He is deeply caring, and genuinely lovely. Filipe is an absolute ray of sunshine and an incredible talent, perfectly portraying the steadfast loyalist who fiercely tries to shield Judy from her worst impulses, yet he never lets Jinkx's Judy leave the spotlight.

Rupert Hands' direction is incredibly assured, balancing the show's massive tonal shifts with total precision. The sound design is also wonderful, using the glorious acoustics of the Walthamstow auditorium to its full advantage. Yet, the strength of the writing and the performances is so distinct here that there is absolutely no need for music to manufacture an atmosphere. During the dramatic scenes, the entire auditorium watched in hushed awe as we simply bathed in the beauty of what was unfolding in front of us.

As the final notes faded, the entire audience leapt to their feet, delivering a massive, emotional, and extended standing ovation. In short, Jinkx Monsoon brings the house down in a piece of theatre at its most powerful, heartbreaking, and triumphant. Do not miss it.

This performance marked my personal 100th theatre visit of 2026, and I couln't have asked for a better night than thi

END OF THE RAINBOW continues its limited run until Sunday 21st June. CLICK HERE to secure your tickets to the theatrical event of the year before it's too late.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of End of the Rainbow was gifted by Raw PR who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Jinkx Monsoon as Judy; Jacob Dudman as Mickey; Adam Filipe as Anthony; Fred Double as Newsreader / ASM

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 30 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

References to death, mental illness, suicide, and substance abuse; Homophobic, ableist, and racist language; Depictions of smoking, drinking, and the taking of pills; Bright lights

AGE GUIDANCE:

12+ (Under 16s should be accompanied by an adult)

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