'Deep-Heat Rivalry' review — this no-holds-barred romp of a parody musical is a total joy

Read our review of Trevor Ashley and Phil Scott's Deep-Heat Rivalry, now in performances at The Other Palace to 11 October.

Summary

• Musical parody Deep-Heat Rivalry comes to The Other Palace
• The show riffs off the hugely popular TV series Heated Rivalry
• The witty script is teeming with musical theatre and queer culture references
• Diana Vickers is a standout as The Diva

If viewers of hit Canadian sports-romance series Heated Rivalry thought it couldn’t get any steamier, they are in for a wild ride with this musical parody. Deep-Heat Rivalry is a no-holds-barred romp through gay anthems, pop classics, and musical theatre in-jokes.

“Rated R for raunchy”, as the show quips, this fun arrival in The Other Palace’s Studio theatre is loosely inspired by the story of two professional ice hockey players, Shane Hollandaise (previously Hollander) and Ilya Stroganoff (previously Rozanov), who develop a secret relationship while playing for rival teams.

Right off the bat, the hockey stick-themed innuendos flow thick and fast, guided by Ross Chisari as a cheeky Puck and narrator, clad in a plunging leather referee-style leotard. The iambic pentameter of this loose A Midsummer Night’s Dream premise is soon abandoned as Shane (Sario Solomon) skates onto the “rink” in Heelys, proudly sporting his Montreal Meatheads jersey. In the blue corner (technical hockey accuracy is not this show’s strong point), a humorously monosyllabic Ilya (Jason Leigh Winter, who manages to keep up a Russian accent throughout), represents the Boston Beefcakes.

Heated Rivalry allusions barely scratch the surface of the quick-witted writing from Olivier-nominated Trevor Ashley (currently starring in The Producers in the West End) and Phil Scott, who unleash a barrage of musical theatre and irreverent queer culture references, including replacing the chorus of Cher’s “Strong Enough” with “Stroganoff”. No joke is deemed too far, with wide-ranging jabs aimed at Sheridan Smith, Graham “Moron” Norton, and Titanique.

Described by Ashley, also director, as smashing the world of hockey romance “headfirst into the great British tradition of pantomime”, the show is certainly adults-only. Ilya and Shane's chemistry is undeniable, and borderline un-showable, and the comedy hits the main plot points of the TV romance through a healthy dose of lewd satire and pop parodies, perhaps most notably Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” sung impressively during a particularly raunchy gym session. At points, the Shakespeare puns feel superfluous, and the pace of the first half drags a little, but it's carried through by powerful vocals from all four cast members.

It is impossible to take your eyes off Diana Vickers as The Diva when she is onstage, whether in the guise of Claudia Wink-at-Her, complete with large fringe and white cane, Greta Get-A-Wig, or an inevitably overlooked female love interest. She powers through versions of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked (“I don’t know why they cast me”) and Amii Stewart’s “Knock on Wood” with astounding ease, and her knowing glances to the audience never fail to provoke laughter.

Although several jokes are levelled at the limited budget of the show, any excuse for a costume change is taken (design by Angie White) – the camper and more bejewelled, the better. A simple set is cleverly used, with one table acting as ringside seating, a changing room bench and, of course, a bed.

While no microphone or bike handlebar is safe from a lewd physical gag, Deep-Heat Rivalry is more than a bawdy reproduction. With winning vocals, irreverent humour and sultry choreography, this adults-only panto is a riotous night, with joy (and filth) at its core.

Deep-Heat Rivalry is at The Other Palace to 11 October.

Photo credit: Deep-Heat Rivalry (Photos by Mark Senior)