EastEnders star Shona McGarty is set to appear in an ‘unhinged’ new show.
The Whitney Dean actress has been announced as the special guest star of a drag cabaret celebrating 40 years of EastEnders.
EastBenders is set to take over the Clapham Grand on Thursday, March 27, and promises to be ‘a chaotic, camp, and utterly unhinged drag cabaret tribute to 40 years of London’s most iconic soap’.
As the Clapham Grand is transformed into the Queen Vic, some of the UK’s best drag and cabaret talent will be giving their interpretations of some of EastEnders’ most iconic storylines and scandals.
Legendary characters like Sharon Watts, Vanessa Gold, Pat Butcher and even the Queen Vic bust will be brought to life on stage, with audience members told to ‘get ready for high-drama, big earrings, and duff-duff moments galore’.
As well as performances, audience members can expect a costume competition with a ‘legendary prize’ for the best EastEnders themed costume, a charity raffle which will benefit the East London Out Project, and ‘plenty of surprises’.
The drag and cabaret artists will be joined by Shona for a special one-night-only performance.
‘So excited,’ she said, in response to a post about the event on Instagram, ‘see y’all there.’
Shona left her role as Whitney Dean in the BBC soap last year, 16 years after her debut.
Her exit storyline saw her leave Albert Square after discovering partner Zack Hudson’s (James Farrar) infidelity with best friend Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).
She cut ties with him and mother figure Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), after realising that she had known about the fling.
Over the years, Whitney was at the centre of some huge EastEnders storylines.
One of her first major storylines saw her suffer a devastating ordeal as she was sexually abused by stepdad Tony.
Later down the line, she faced a terrifying stalking ordeal, went on trial for murder, and tragically lost her baby, Peach.
Since leaving the show, actress Shona has starred in stage play 2:22 A Ghost Story, as well as doing Panto over the Christmas period.
The actress hasn’t entirely ruled out a return to the soap, revealing that she would be up for reprising her role in the future.
‘I would absolutely go back to EastEnders – it’s 16 years of creating a family, I grew up on that show,’ she told The Sun in November.
‘I’ve got a really good relationship with EastEnders, the doors open but at the moment not yet.’
Tickets to EastBenders are available to purchase here.
