Broadway favorite and two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon will cross the pond for a London production of End of the Rainbow, Peter Quilter's Judy Garland play that served as the source material for the big screen's 2019 biopic Judy.
The performance will see Monsoon return to the persona of the movie musical icon after her whacky portrayal of her famously earned a second consecutive Snatch Game win on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, on a season that ultimately crowned Monsoon Queen of All Queens.
Performances will run May 15-June 21, 2026, at Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
The work finds Judy in the final stage of her life and career, taking place at one of her final concert performances in London to explore the screen legend's voice and artistry, but also her infamous off-stage chaos. Caroline O'Connor played Garland when the work premiered in Australia in 2005. Tracie Bennett took over the role for the U.K. premiere in 2010, continuing with the show as it transferred to London's West End and, in 2012, Broadway. Bennett received Olivier and Tony Award nominations for her performance.
"Judy Garland came into my life, like many, through entertainment, but she stays in my life because of her story," says Monsoon in a statement. "We know all too well the toll that fame took from her. Looking back, we can see more clearly the many factors that played a part in her storied life. I know people know me for impressions and imitation, but I’m thrilled for this chance to explore beyond the laughter and into the heart of why we still think so much about Judy today. Her tale is one that we can’t forget, especially as women in entertainment are still fighting for autonomy and agency in their own careers. I’m ready to bring new aspects of her story to the stage, and to share what I find so tragically beautiful about her life, with my U.K. audiences.”
Known for her drag performances and two winning seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, Monsoon has turned her focus to stage work in recent seasons, making her Broadway debut as Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago before starring in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway, and, back on the Main Stem, in Pirates! The Penzance Musical and Oh, Mary! Monsoon is set to make an encore bow in the latter next year.
Rupert Hands is directing End of the Rainbow at Soho Theatre, with musical supervision by Leo Munby, lighting by Prema Mehta, and sound by Tony Gayle. Lambert Jackson is producing with Sean Nyberg and Paul Danforth and Pascal Ultee Productions.
A ticket pre-sale will begin December 3 at 10 AM GMT with registration here. General sales begin December 4 at 10 AM GMT at SohoTheatre.com.
