At the Old Fire Station on George Street, across from the bustling crowds at lively Four Candles, Toxic MasculiniTEASE on Saturday 24th May was getting equally rowdy. The drag show is the latest from queers arts production house T(ART) Productions, home to not only drag and cabaret but also community meet ups within Oxford’s thriving queer scene. The show was to have three performers over 2 acts and promised to embrace masculinity “in all its forms.” T(ART) described the show as “Magic Mike meets Tragic Mike in this showcase of all the “wrong” ways to be a man.” The show was not just a drag show, but boy burlesque, with circus and clownery thrown in.
First up the audience gets a big reveal of Frisky Whispers – our host and presenter for the evening, if you can look up from the glittery jockstrap enough to listen his endearing and vulnerable stories with accidental comedic genius. Joe Lycett meets Alex Horne in this awkward and charming welcome to the show, and old school showmanship that is simple and effective throughout, especially in his performance where he melodramatically lip syncs a break up song.
Frisky Whispers is also the Cabaret Director for T(ART) Productions, (the main tart of T(ART)) which will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary in September this year, where there will be another chance to see a chaotic cabaret again if you missed out on this show. They will also be present alongside the Oxford Drag Collective at Oxford DIY Pride this year on June 15th at Florence Park Community Centre, an event that harkens back to the meaning of pride – queer community, and protesting for our rights.
After Frisky Whispers, is Dr D Lo, who enters the stage sporting Barbie-esque 80s aerobics sportswear that drives the crowd wild. Dr D Low wears a smirk that says “I know I’m good”, but immediately proves he has the talent to back his claim, delivering the splits mid air, one arm holding him up, suspended on a hoop on stage. His second act in part 2 is even more impressive. Entering the stage as a glittering cowboy, with metallic pleaser heels, he throws himself around the pole athletic style to a comedically odd musical choice for a cowboy – 'Timber' by Pitbull.
Next in the line up is Oxford’s elusive drag king – Jay Division, with a well rehearsed and powerful performance that satisfies the queer theory readers of American Psycho. He begins his performance a proud Wall Street Yuppie in the big city, only to face the stock market crash, strip down and don high-heels for a new era in the streets. It's a playful and well-thought out act that everyone loved, and even had him stripped down right to the chest tape. The second act had everyone wondering how Jay could possibly top his first performance, but he basically pummelled and arm wrestled it to smithereens, referencing the beloved cult classic The Full Monty, and ending with a “that’s all folks” sign for modesty.
The big star of the show ends part one in chaos and ends the show fully, the big clown of the moment: Kiki Lovechild. It takes the audience a while to work out the bit, but when Lovechild pulls you into his vision, you’re blown away. It's stupid and genius all at once, perfect Friday night entertainment. Lovechild is a master of staying in character, making you laugh with just a incredulous face when the audience ‘oooh’ at a Lidl bag. KiKi leaves the audience wowed at the end, as the stage hands wheel on a cloth vat the size of a person while Frisky presents the last act. It had everyone buzzing and wondering what it could be. Kiki Lovechild struts on the stage looking like the Chrysler building with a diamanté bald cap and crown. He is an expert in performance art – making the audience laugh without a single word like the lost art of a court jester. Kiki gives all the gay showmanship and style of a swan become human, before the big reveal. The mysterious giant object on stage? It's a giant “hot” noodle.
T(ART) Productions don’t just strip their clothes down; they also host a wonderful range of queer-based community group meet ups, such as Fruit Salad for trans and intersex individuals at the Old Fire Station every month, and Fruits Cakes meet up in Didcot for all LGBTQ+ identifying people. Most recent is Raspberry Ripples, a meet-up and social for disabled queer people.
And not just at the Old Fire Station, T(ART) also host the Queer Voices open mic night at the Pegasus Theatre for poetry, singing, and drag etc. T(ART) is bring back the ART to Oxford and a sense of community when it needs it most. If you would like to find out more about T(ART) Productions and their events, head to their website.
Overall, the performance was an explosion of queer joy and performance art dressed in glittering suits, and sock suspenders and a metallic thong. A must-see for any creative queers in Oxford!