“AÂ daring fusion of lyrical new writing and cabaret prowess.”
We are very excited about the awesome drag king theatre show JOAN, which starts tonight at the Ovalhouse Theatre Downstairs. Performed by drag king champion Lucy Jane Parkinson – aka Louis Cyfer, winner of Drag Idol UK 2014 – history’s greatest gender-warrior Joan of Arc takes to the stage, dragging up as the men she defies in this smash hit show.
Packed with guts and heart, JOAN is a daring fusion of lyrical new writing and cabaret prowess from the multi-award winning Milk Presents, directed by Lucy Skilbeck.
What happens when a disguise becomes something a lot more real and you have to fight for who you really are?
This fearless, hilarious solo play with uproarious songs is about what it means to stand out, stand up and stand alone.
JOAN is a drag King theatre show that aims to introduce new audiences to this ever-growing underground art form, placing it within theatre spaces and community settings. Drag Queens have long been at the forefront of experimental performance and popular entertainment, but Kings (female to male performers) are quickly catching up. This show resonates with an ever-growing dialogue about gender and sexuality and the need to represent a wider demographic in our society.
The play unravels the intricacies of Joan’s defiance and subsequent demise, with Lucy Jane Parkinson morphing into the men that put her there. A solo show about belonging, gender and finding our own identity.
JOAN stormed the Edinburgh Fringe last year, with 3 awards: Winner of the Scotsman Fringe First Award, The Stage Edinburgh Award and a Spirit of the Fringe Award 2016
It won critical acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, who reviewed it, "Comic fizz, emotional ballast and cross-dressing that looks like sorcery”.
Veteran theatre critic Lyn Gardner was hugely impressed by the show, writing: "Almost 600 years after Joan was burned, there is still a great deal at stake for those who don’t fit the gender binary and who must fight daily to be accepted for who they are without fear of witch-hunts."
It’s a simply captivating new play with uproarious songs that breathes new life into this centuries-old legend.
JOAN is on at Ovalhouse theatre downstairs,
from 11 -22 April 7.30pm
Tickets £14 | £8 concessions
Box Office 020 7582 7680 or online ovalhouse.com
Ovalhouse, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW
+ Special JOAN event:
Sat 22 April 8.30pm
BAR WOTEVER DRAG KING SOIRÉE
RVT's legendary Bar Wotever hosts a special JOAN after-party with cocktails, hard drag king entertainment from Benjamin Butch and Rico DelRay, plus queer music ‘til closing time.
Tickets: £20 | £15 concs (includes a ticket to JOAN and a free cocktail)
+ Special DIVA 2 for 1 Offer!
Ovalhouse has a limited number of 2-for-1 tickets available for DIVA subscribers to see JOAN this week (Tues 11 – Sat 15 April 7.30pm).
You could take a friend for free!
To claim the 2for1 offer, select 2 full-price tickets and enter code “DIVA”, you will be charged for just 1.
Book your tickets here.