Occasionally the underground goes overground and we are not talking Tube trains. Jonny Woo is a cult name on the gay club circuit, fronting exotic nights ranging from uber-kitsch bingo sessions to tributes to Bucks Fizz. His latest offering, International Woman Of Mr E, enjoying a Soho run before heading to Edinburgh, is his most mainstream and personal yet.

Appearing in a dunce's hat, sober suit and trademark tribal facepaint, Woo, opens with lines about the death of kings from Shakespeare's Richard II. Apt, because the theme here is the near-death of one of London's most hard-partying queens. The fool's headgear is apt, too, because it was Woo's stupidly excessive lifestyle that nearly killed him.

Most of the show consists of songs, poetry and gracefully delivered tongue-twisters. In Woo's wild world, Peter Piper no longer picks pecks of pickled peppers, he pops pills and is pursued by paparazzi. The suit is soon swapped for gold lamé swimwear and Farrah Fawcett wig and Woo introduces us to his "sports kit tranny", who employs tactics that are anything but Olympian.

Each piece is delivered with controlled passion as he recalls life as a 24-hour party person. This is more confessional cabaret than laugh-out-loud comedy. After a jolly number about moggies with lollies stuck in their fur, which may be a euphemism for a vice that has passed me by, things head towards a brutal climax. Anecdotes talk of violence and his costume switches from sports to hospital garb.

Woo is too niche for primetime, more Leigh Bowery than Boy George but he is certainly a gifted, inventive performer. Given the right vehicle - and this is close - clubland's best-kept secret may not remain secret for ever.

Until 19 July (0870 429 6883, www.sohotheatre.com)