Jonny Woo’s acclaimed Un-Royal Variety will return to Soho Theatre Walthamstow this November, bringing three nights of alternative comedy, cabaret and queer performance art to East London as it celebrates its tenth anniversary.
Created and hosted by East London drag icon Jonny Woo, the annual extravaganza runs from 26 to 28 November, opening Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s festive season with a programme featuring established favourites, underground stars and emerging talent.
The initial line-up includes Ben Welch, Bourgeois & Maurice, David Hoyle, Diane Chorley, Jayde Adams, Josh Glanc, Kemah Bob, Kitty Bang Bang, Lottie Croucher’s Maude Adams and All Those Children, Margo Marshall and Megasquirt, all appearing across the run.
Joining them on selected nights will be Dairy King, Dan Wye, Figs in Wigs, Jeanie and The White Boys, Katy Baird, Lawunda, Lynks, Mimi Chanel, Rozalla, Sharon Le Grand and Steve Porters.
Described as a punk reinvention of the traditional Royal Variety format, the event combines live music, comedy, dance, drag and performance art, accompanied by an in-house band and ensemble cast.
Following last year’s successful debut at Soho Theatre Walthamstow, the show returns to the venue with an expanded programme and further acts still to be announced.
Jonny Woo said: “Last year we took over Soho Theatre Walthamstow and turned it upside down, so of course we had to come back to cause more queer chaos in 2026. Un-Royal Variety is a love letter to the alternative performance scene from London and beyond, a kooky coterie of underground legends, cult favourites and future stars, across live music, cabaret, dance, comedy and more. With so much talent on stage, this will be a night to remember, just in time to ring in the festive season.”
Previous editions of Un-Royal Variety have featured a wide range of performers including Peaches, Betty Boo, Myra Dubois, Mawaan Rizwan, Lucy McCormick, Diane Chorley, La Gateau Chocolat and Bourgeois & Maurice.
The show has earned strong critical acclaim, with BroadwayWorld UK describing it as “A spectacular sensation from start to finish” and The Stage calling it “An alternative, anarchic cabaret featuring some of the best acts currently working the circuit”.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
