Drag, Drama…And Everything In Between

The core, innate nature of humans is to express. Expression of emotions and feelings has been an integral form of communication. One such temple where expressions and emotions surge dramatically is a theatre. Theatres plays a vital role for many marginalised sections to express themselves in a safe space and evoke social moments of change. And well, where there is drama there is a drag. Drag shows essentially provide queer individuals with a safe, inclusive space to voice their views and opinions. One such set is running at King’s Head theatre in London called the FAME WH*RE depicts the life of a drag-diva Becky Biro and her journey in the drag show world. To know more about FAME WH*RE and to experience the lives of drag queens continue to read Drag, Drama…And Everything In Between Here.

Theatre or the act of live performance for entertainment find its roots in many cultures and civilisations around the world. Be it the famous Colosseum which to date stands as a magnificent symbol of the Roman art heritage or the highly revered ‘Natya-shastra’ (loosely translated as the ‘Guide to Dramatics’) a Sanskrit book of Indian origin that finds its roots in 500BC has been a pioneer in shaping arts and aesthetics in many parts of Asia. 

Over the period of time, this art of expression has seen much more variations and has majorly evolved with changing times. But the core sense of expression of emotions and ideas has still been the vital essence of this art form. 

Theatres were and are way more than for mere entertainment. They provide an opportunity to voice opinions and spark discussions in society which has the power to change the course of history.

They also provide a shared platform to display, represent and address various matters in the community. In today’s time, the art of performing live with scripted action staged to create a coherent and meaningful sense of drama has gained centre focus. 

Dramatic art has given so many wondering souls a podium to unleash their beliefs whilst they perform by tapping into various subjects including those of oppression and tyranny as well as laughter and joy. Drag is one such product of expression to celebrate.

The term ‘drag’ dates back to the 19th Century which was then used to refer to men in women’s clothing. Queer individuals have been subjected to various social stigmas and biases and things like drag shows have given these individuals a stage to say what they think, express what they feel and celebrate their pluralism with the world. 

One such drag artist from the streets of London is Cryola The Queen. They are all set with their new act ‘FAME WH*RE’ presented by Sarah Allen Productions. Crayola plays Becky Biro and portrays her journey in the drag world. 

Being a strong-headed individual herself, Biro leaves no stone unturned in achieving what she aspires to. She knows what she wants and will go to any extent to achieve it. She desires to become a contestant in the next series of the international TV show ‘The Drag Factor’ only to enjoy the flavours of fame and success. Well, a soaring Instagram fan following was one of the main criteria to jump ahead in this rat race and Biro couldn’t just let things out of her hands because of this blasphemous rule. She puts all her ideas into play and stages a wild publicity stunt to get to the A list. And then the drama follows Becky’s drag journey.

Written remarkably by Tom Ratcliffe, FAME WH*RE beautifully depicts the ups and downs of a queer individual in the drag world. The act very strongly sheds light upon social media trolling and how words from a faceless someone with fake profiles can have far-reaching effects on an individual’s life. This satirical dark comedy show successfully touches on many matters of social stigma and addresses them in a highly entertaining manner.  

To enjoy the fun & flamboyance of the drag world and to delve into Becky Biro’s scandalous life, head to watch FAME WH*RE at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington from 5th – 29th October 2022. To know more visit here.

If you enjoyed reading Drag, Drama…And Everything In Between then why not read Sound In Situ. 

 .Cent Magazine London, Be Inspired; Get Involved