'Drag Race' Star Jan Shines in West End Debut as Oscar Wilde in “Oscar at the Crown”

Jan Sport, renowned for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 and All Stars 6, has taken center stage in London’s West End as the lead in “Oscar at the Crown,” a genre-defying musical that melds queer history, pop culture, and dystopian fantasy. Staged at The Crown, a custom-built venue on Tottenham Court Road, the show has quickly become one of the season’s hottest tickets, with its run extended “by phenomenal demand” just weeks after opening night .

“Oscar at the Crown” is the brainchild of the queer theatre collective The Neon Coven. The production transports audiences to a secret bunker in a dystopian future where the remnants of reality TV, glitter balls, and the complete works of Oscar Wilde have survived fascist rule. Jan Sport stars as Oscar Wilde, reimagined as the charismatic leader of this underground enclave, orchestrating an extravaganza that is equal parts dance party and dramatic exploration of identity .

The show’s unique staging and high-energy choreography create an immersive experience, inviting audiences to reflect on the enduring power of queer art and defiance in the face of oppression. “The queer community will always find their voice against opposing forces, onstage and in the real world,” Jan shared in a recent interview, highlighting the production’s resonance with current LGBTQ+ struggles .

For Jan, “Oscar at the Crown” represents a full-circle moment in her career. Having first joined the show during its conception in Boston in 2015, Jan has watched both the production and her own artistry evolve over the past decade. “A decade ago, before I even started to do drag, I wanted to be in theatre… It’s crazy to be back in the saddle,” she reflected with pride .

The musical’s London engagement follows its acclaimed 2019 Off-Broadway premiere and a lauded run at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it was named a Playbill Pick . Jan’s performance, marked by dynamic vocals and magnetic stage presence, has drawn praise from critics and fans alike, reinforcing her status as a trailblazer for musical theatre queens in a drag-dominated landscape .

The success of “Oscar at the Crown” is also a testament to the resilience and creativity of drag artists who transition to mainstream theatre. “For so long, the musical theater girls were always made fun of… When all of this dries up, you know who’s going to be doing things? The showgirls. The musical theater girls,” Jan asserted in a recent interview, calling for greater respect and recognition of theatre queens within and beyond the drag community .

Jan’s advocacy for her fellow performers is rooted in her own journey—a career forged through hard work, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to her craft. “I’m going to be on a stage the rest of my life singing my tits off at any age, and I don’t know that everyone is going to be able to do that in the future. Give some respect to the theater girls. We’re out here working hard!” she emphasized .

Central to the production is its inventive reimagining of Oscar Wilde—a writer whose wit, flamboyance, and tragic persecution made him a lasting symbol of queer resilience. Jan approaches the character not as a distant historical figure, but as a kindred spirit and proto-drag artist. “What I found interesting about and about his history was that he felt like a drag artist. He kind of has a lot of that pomposity ,” Jan explained, noting the ways Wilde’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of LGBTQ+ performers .

The show’s creative team—including writer Mark Mauriello and musician/choreographer Andrew Barrett Cox—have worked alongside Jan to ensure that this fresh take on Wilde remains both historically informed and vibrantly contemporary. The result is a production that bridges past and present, celebrating the ongoing contributions of LGBTQ+ people to art, activism, and society .

Since opening in London, “Oscar at the Crown” has garnered enthusiastic reviews from critics and audience members. Described as “the most fun you can legally have in a theatre,” the show has built a devoted following among LGBTQ+ theatre-goers, allies, and fans of musical innovation .

The production’s immersive format and bold themes have been especially meaningful for younger queer audiences, many of whom see in Wilde’s story—and Jan’s performance—a reflection of their own search for identity and belonging. The show’s popularity has led to an extension of its London engagement, with tickets selling out quickly for many dates .

“Oscar at the Crown” stands as a powerful example of how LGBTQ+ artists are transforming contemporary theatre, infusing mainstream stages with stories that resonate deeply within the community. Jan Sport’s starring role not only marks a milestone in her own career, but also signals growing opportunities for drag and queer performers worldwide.

As the curtain rises on this electrifying production, audiences are reminded of the enduring legacy of Oscar Wilde, the transformative power of drag, and the unwavering spirit of the LGBTQ+ community—a celebration that feels more vital than ever in London, and beyond .