This dazzling new show about three disabled drag queens is bold and brave, says Carrie Lyell
On a recent jaunt to Glasgow, I was lucky enough to catch the world premiere of Blanche and Butch, a dazzling and bold new show about three disabled drag queens.
Inspired by Noel Greig’s original production Heelz n Wheelz, Blanche and Butch – written by Robert Softley Gale – is campy, challenging and highly entertaining, starring Gale alongside Garry Robson and Kinny Gardner.
The action takes place backstage at a “down at heel” production of Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, with faded stars Bette, Blanche and Butch throwing shade the way only bitchy old queens can. But beneath the layers of makeup and catty putdowns is a poignant story of three men and their lives, loves and losses that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most heartless queen.
Kinny Gardner, Robert Softley Gale, Amy Cheskin and Garry Robson
Fully accessible with integrated BSL, captioning and audio description, Blanche and Butch is personal and political as well as intersectional, original and innovative, and a furious finger to box-ticking approaches to diversity so often seen in mainstream theatre. But more than anything it’s funny. Plus: nipple tassels. Don’t miss it.
Blanche and Butch is touring Scotland now. For full dates, visit boptheatre.co.uk.
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