In End of the Rainbow, actress Jinx Monsoon delivers an impressive performance as a troubled Garland navigating the sad final chapter of her life, writes Mina Hanson
Peter Quilter’s End of the Rainbow at Soho Theatre Walthamstow tells the story of The Wizard of Oz star Judy Garland in a dramatised version of her final years before she died in 1969.
Set in the Ritz Hotel, Garland is preparing for her five-week residency and, in between shows, battling substance abuse, financial constraints, relationship chaos, and her own inner demons.
Jinkx Monsoon, who came to prominence after winning season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race, plays a 47-year-old Garland, who is worlds away from the little girl with pigtails in The Wizard of Oz in 1939 that most of us might think of when we hear her name.
Drag alum Jinkx Monsoon, known for her eccentric and vintage-inspired style, brought life to the Walthamstow stage with her mesmerising performance.
Her comedic acting skills and character impersonation came as no surprise, but some of us were blown away by her seemingly hidden vocal abilities as she took on Garland classics such as Come Rain or Come Shine and Over the Rainbow.
Judy Garland was known for her top-tier vocal and acting skills. Most of us remember her from classics such as Meet Me in St. Louis and A Star is Born.
However, it wasn’t until later in life that the world finally learned how much a young Garland suffered and was painfully used by the industry she grew up in, in service of her craft.
The industry execs around her heavily critiqued her on just about everything, and she was forced into reliance on pills and alcohol – just about anything to stay in shape and in form for her career – as the portrayal heavily touches on.
Amidst the uncomfortable topics, the performance somehow managed to balance sadness with humour in true Judy Garland form, whilst confronting the audience with the reality of the lifelong upkeep Garland had to maintain ever since she was little Dorothy clicking her ruby shoes together.
Drag Race fans would be familiar with Monsoon’s comedic talents, but the audience were wowed by her performance in tackling Judy’s multilayered personality, showing all shades of the star from the hilarious highs to the uncomfortable lows.
Monsoon also shared the stage with Jacob Dudman and Adam Filipe as the supporting cast. The three actors gave a real and jolting performance as their characters: Anthony, Judy’s pianist for the show, and Mickey Deans, her then-fiancé.
The trio fought on stage over their plans and preparations for Garland’s London show, exploring their tug-of-war of power over performance, profit, and personal priorities.
The simple Walthamstow stage and intimate cast helped add weight to the heavy script and story, including a live band that aided in bringing Garland’s classic hits to the Walthamstow stage.
End of the Rainbow has drawn a crowd from both local and international lovers of Judy Garland and old Hollywood, as well as LGBTQ+ theatre-goers, to Walthamstow’s doorstep due in part to Monsoon’s reputation as a fierce queer rights activist.
It seems perfect that this updated retelling of Peter Quilter’s 2005 production, set in London, was brought back to the same renowned stage (Granada Theatre) that once hosted other worldwide greats such as The Rolling Stones and Buddy Holly.
Go and watch it – it’s seriously good.
End of the Rainbow is running until 26th June 2026 at Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Do you study or work in Waltham Forest? Sign up here for exclusive discounted tickets on a variety of Soho Theatre Walthamstow shows
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