W.W. Double D – What Would Dolly Do? is a funny, intimate, and moving drag tribute to Dolly Parton. Tora Himan is brilliantly witty and quick with their humour and has the ability to tease and also befriend all members of the audience.
Despite the venue being slightly dingy, this did not affect Himan’s performance at all. The story follows Tora, who enters the stage looking troubled, asking themselves ‘What would Dolly do?’. For the next hour, they explore the extent of Dolly’s wardrobe, literally, and give the audience a variety of performances from across Dolly’s career.
The costumes were impressive, as one would expect from a Dolly Parton Drag Cabaret. Tora manages to keep a teasing yet friendly relationship with members of the audience. They keep the show varied, with not only lip-syncing, but live singing, costume changes, backup dancers, audience makeovers, dance battles, and tambourines.
This is a really varied performance and never left me bored. Tora also introduced just the right amount of sentimentality, telling us the story behind the show and how the death of their mother inspired them to write it, following this up with the song ‘I Will Always Love You’. However, Tora’s light-heartedness and brilliant gauge on the audience meant this did not weigh the show down at all.
My only critique would be that I wished there was even more Dolly Parton music and even more costume/wig changes. I also would have liked more suitable lighting, as we were sat in a very light room the entire time; it felt slightly exposing and garish. But W.W. Double D – What Would Dolly Do? is the perfect show to pre-drink to. It’s filled with laughs, music, glamour, and fun. Tora creates a very welcoming environment and by the end has the audience actually wishing they could get involved.
