A GLORIOUS, RIOTOUS PARODY OF FAIRYTALES LOVINGLY UPDATED WITH A QUEER SPIN, SELF-ACCEPTANCE AND SEX TOYS

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody is a gender-bending pantomime romp through beloved fairytales told with drag performers giving (and receiving) positive lessons on respect, healthy masculinity, periods, and sex positivity. Australian cabaret troupe The Hairy Godmothers will give London audiences a healthy dose of nostalgia and a side-serving of the feel-goods before heading up to Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody is a fantasy-driven, tongue-in-cheek comedy show that warps the classic “Hero’s Journey” into a modern fairytale of self-discovery. As the wide-eyed protagonist goes on a quest to find their one true love, the X-rated queer pantomime discovers new sides of childhood favourite characters in a magical adventure complete with original parodied songs, fabulous costumes and A Whole New World of exotic props and questionable puns.

Performer and founding member of The Hairy Godmothers Alex Nissen said “We all grew up being immersed in Disney movies and loving the stories. As adults though, wanted to explore this idea of love and reposition it as self-acceptance through the lens of some of our favourite characters, reimagining them in the modern world”

Performer and co-founder Owen Merriman added “We lure people in with nostalgic excitement, crack their smiles open with stupidity and sassiness, and melt their hearts with messages of inclusivity and self-love. It is an absolute riot!”

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody is the opening show of Underbelly Festival, taking over Cavendish Square from July – September. Offering a slice of Edinburgh Fringe in the heart of Central London, the cultural pop-up festival is a go-to destination to eat, drink and watch high quality culture. Underbelly Festival’s famous Spiegeltent will once again take up residence in Cavendish Square, hosting world-class live entertainment from the best in circus, cabaret and comedy as well as children’s and family friendly entertainment. The festival will serve up a delicious range of street food traders, open air bars, and plenty of space to socialise, with deckchairs and picnic seating throughout.

The Hairy Godmothers is a motley crew of West Australians who have a diverse range of backgrounds as engineers, doctors, science presenters, actors, lawyers, dancers, teachers, and poets. They came together as friends in 2019 to write Fringe shows and have gone on to tour Australia, Europe and the UK over the last 5 years. As a collective they aim to educate through entertainment and overall give everyone a fun night out!

DIZNEY IN DRAG: ONCE UPON A PARODY

Venue

Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square
Oxford Street
London W1G 0PU

Performance Dates

Thursday 4 to Sunday 14 July

Performance Times

Tues – Weds 7PM
Thurs – Sat 7PM & 9PM
Sun 6PM

Ticket Price

From £18

Box Office

www.underbellyfestival.co.uk | 0844 545 8252

COMPANY

Written and directed by The Hairy Godmothers Collective

Audio and lighting: Ben Kay

Costume: Alex Nissen

CAST

The Hero (they/them) Jae West
The Hairy Godmother (she/her) Owen Merriman
Areola, Teacup (she/her) Alex Nissen
Miss White (she/her) TBC

Pan (he/him), Grandmamma Willow (she/her), Prince #1 (he/him), Grumpy (he/him) Ashley
Tinkerbell (she/her), Teapot (she/her), Sleazy (he/him) Mita Hill
Jazz (she/her), Man #1 (he/him), Madame Featherduster (she/her) TBC
Strap-on (he/him), Monsieur Derrière (he/him), Dopey (he/him) Emma MacMillan

*please note that the pronouns relate to the characters

Photo Credit: Deric Martin