Review: Nerd Ball’s Musical Theatre Night is Camp, Clever, and Completely Unmissable

When you do reviews you go into a show open-minded. You go to show 1 and you view it, you absorb it, you enjoy it and come out of it, saying wow that’s a five-star show but then along comes show two and you think yourself there’s no way that they can get another five […]

When you do reviews you go into a show open-minded. You go to show 1 and you view it, you absorb it, you enjoy it and come out of it, saying wow that’s a five-star show but then along comes show two and you think yourself there’s no way that they can get another five star rating on their second show. It can’t be as good or better than the first one. Surely they have used all the ideas they have.

On to the review.

There are shows at the Fringe that entertain, and then there are shows that leave you walking out changed – maybe a little gayer, definitely a little louder, and almost certainly humming Anything Goes. Nerd Ball, The Fools’ latest themed drag cabaret, delivered the latter in explosive fashion on May 19 with their Musical Theatre edition at Daltons Brighton.

This was not a quiet homage to the Great White Way. It was a full-blown, rhinestone-crusted declaration of love to the genre – loud, proud, and joyously queer (if such words can be used now-a-days)

A Nerd’s Night Out – With Belting:
Each Nerd Ball performance is themed around a different special interest – and this time, musical theatre took centre stage. What followed was an exhilarating blur of Broadway belters, deep-cut cast album references, and glitter in unholy quantities. The Fools, a rotating ensemble of drag performers, live singers, and comedians (well they had some oneliners), brought their A-game and then some.

What set this show apart was its blend of reverence and ridiculousness. The jokes landed fast, the vocals were live and strong, and the audience – a packed and vocal crowd – was with them every step of the way.

The real power of Nerd Ball is how it dissects fandom. It understands that loving something deeply often means laughing at it mercilessly. With every show are a wave of songs ranging from Sugar Daddy (Helwig and the Angry Inch) to The Nausea before the game (In Trousers) to Corner of the sky (Pippin), ending with the only song I knew which was Time Warp (Rocky Horror). (I really must get out more).

And amid the sparkle, the show made space for reflection: on identity, obsession, and the sanctuary musical theatre offers to outsiders.

Inclusivity with Intention:

With tickets priced to be accessible (£10 standard, £5 concessions), a wheelchair-friendly venue, and a clear 18+ rating with content warnings in place, Nerd Ball walked the talk when it came to community. This wasn’t just a drag show about fandom – it was a night where fans, performers, and misfits of all kinds found a shared language.

Final Thoughts:

Nerd Ball: Musical Theatre wasn’t just a hit – it was a triumph. The Fools have created something rare: a space where the niche is celebrated, where camp meets catharsis, and where every note, gag, and high kick lands with heart.

If you love musicals, go.
If you love drag, definitely go.
If you’ve ever felt like the weirdo in the room – this is your room.

Reviewers Rating: 5/5 – A showtune-soaked standout of Brighton Fringe 2025.