Last week, I interviewed Russell Barr, writer/performer of this monologue. And what a kerfuffle that (and the other press) caused!
He repeatedly discussed his dislike for drag queens, calling them deceptive and violent. His show is about a particularly violent incident that is based on his own experiences working in a drag bar in Glasgow,peppered with some truly funny and some horrifying anecdotes about his family and friends, and I think he is genuinely disturbed and terrified of some of the people he used to know. He lives in London now. So, his comments to the press are consistent with that. I don’t think he is against drag per se, just the people he knew who practiced it. Too bad he came across as hating all drag queens.
Nevertheless, the play itself is average Fringe fare. It still feels a draft or two (and a rehearsal) away from being a “real” play. As it stands, it’s pretty good pub storytelling, meandering and over the top. I especially disliked how he would pause for effect after he said something terrifically horrible.
Friday is supposed to be a Q&A session, but rumour has it that Darrin Hagen (who was supposed to moderate the talk) now refuses to participate. What a shame. If anyone could take that guy to task, it’s Darrin. Oh well.
Dear Mari,
You said such nice things to me after the play.
What sort of hypocrite are you? Is it any wonder you fucking journalists have such a reputation.
Russell Barr