Tell us about your show, Acid’s Reign.
Acid’s Reign is a comedy cabaret drag play that makes a song and dance about the climate crisis and how climate change impacts LGBTQ+ communities. It has a script by yours truly, music by Joe Beighton of Six The Musical fame and an all star drag cast (soon to be announced!) led by Son Of A Tutu (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie The Movie).
Why did you choose drag and cabaret as the way to share your environmental message?
I want to encourage LGBTQ+ audiences to see that the climate crisis is a queer crisis too: in short, if civilisation collapses, civil rights that keep us safe will collapse. Drag and cabaret are dominant modes of expression in the LGBTQ community and so they felt like the best forms through which to share this message with my target audience. Arguments around climate change can also feel serious and a bit of a drag so I wanted to satirise this by making a drag show about it!
What was your process like in creating looks for characters inspired by nature?
Cast and crew worked with designer Caitlin Mawhinney to make costumes that capture the personality of the performer, comically evoke the nature of the character they’re playing and illustrate how their character – be that Sea, Land or Air – is being affected by climate change. So without giving too much away, Sea’s dress might have a tail made of recycled plastic bottles reflecting all the plastic that’s been dumped in her!
What is your trick to balancing the message of your show with the fun entertainment factor?
I try and use a joke, a song, a cabaret set piece or a vivid drag costume to show the audience how climate change is affecting something, rather than tell them facts facts facts. People are far more likely to remember and be affected by something visual, moving or funny than something dry and factual.
What makes this show sustainable?
The costumes will all be made from recycled or upcycled materials. And we’re recycling iconic queer pop bops into green anthems!
What do you hope people will take away from Acid’s Reign?
I want people to see that the climate crisis is a queer crisis, to better understand and reassess how they perceive climate change, to feel empowered to make what changes they can to help the environment and to have had a great night out laughing, singing and dancing with some of the best drag talent around.
What are your hopes for the show after your Vault Festival run?
To help spread the climate message and the queer joy at the heart of the show, I would love Acid’s Reign to tour the country and be seen by as many people as possible. A London transfer would also be dreamy. So if you’re reading this, Soho Theatre…!
Are there any other shows at Vault Festival that you’re looking forward to?
Nope. Only Acid’s Reign… I’m joking! My friend Louis Emmitt-Stern has written a play called I F*cked You In My Spaceship which I can’t wait to see. And my mate Scott Le Crass is directing a play called Buff which will no doubt be fantastic.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into drag or cabaret?
I’m a playwright, poet and creative writing teacher so I feel ill-placed to offer drag or cabaret advice… but if you want to do it, do it: life is short and I’m yet to meet a drag performer or cabaret artist who regrets doing it as it’s so much fun.
Acid’s Reign is at Vault Festival from Tuesday 14th March until Sunday 19th March
