Victoria got in contact with two drag acts, Oliver and Felix. It was essential to see and hear from them, instead of making the decision over their photos in drag. This was so we could hear their story and possibly see their work, and see what factors they could bring to our show.
We were unable to meet up with the two drag applicants, so Gavin skyped them and recorded the interview for us to watch. I watched both of these interviews and took notes:
Oliver Lewis
Age: 18 years old
Work: makes costumes & accessories
- He said he makes his own clothes because he doesn't want to spend a lot of money on his drag clothes - the aim of our show
- Made all sorts of different outfits - a lot of experience in making clothes
- Learnt how to make all his clothes himself - done it all himself
- Parents were really supportive
- Started experimenting with makeup and drag at 10-11 years of age.
- Showed us some of his outfits - spiked outfit and pointed glasses
- Does drag for art A-level - drag is his passion - doesn't have anyone to help him, wants people to know his drag is all by himself
- He started by buying cheap materials - e.g. cheap ratty wigs, until he got a better income - has experienced having to work with cheap materials, knows how to make them look good / less cheap
- Britain's Got Talent - David Walliams even said he didn't expect someone his age to be doing drag at such a high level
- School shouldn't be a problem - he just needs to let them know asap
- He couldn’t commit to BGT so could he commit to us?
- Can only come to essential dates - cannot take all rehearsals off because of school
- He couldn’t commit to BGT so could he commit to us?
- Can only come to essential dates - cannot take all rehearsals off because of school
Felix 'le Freak'
Age: 30 years old
Work: Doesn't make his own clothes from scratch but he reuses / recycles / up-cycles old materials (still DIY just in a different method)
- Studied theatre and performance art
- Merges drag with theatre and performance art
- Worked within casting
- He got into drag by entering a drag competition - came 2nd - made drag full time (4 nights a week at least, sometimes 7 nights a week)
- 2 weekly events every week
- 3 monthly events every month
- He hosts his own show with guests (where he MCs) - knows how to get an audience interested, is used to working in front of a big audience
- Style - mixed, music - subcultures, emo, rock and roll, goth, boohoo, gothic, something between disco and alternative, trip - fits with our big finale, completely different to the show but still links with the DIY
Why he doesn’t buy things brand new:
- Sees himself as a massive hippy
- Very concerned about waste and environment (there's a lot of waste in drag / clothing in general)
- Set himself a task - don't by anything new for a whole year - occasionally will buy specific things from Primark - cheaper shop
- Cheaper to recycle / salvage - aim of our show, makes cheaper clothes look more expensive
- Makes hair accessories - big bows for hair
- Doesn't go clothes shopping in the high street
- Availability?? - 20th march, 10th april, 17th, 18th, 19th dates are needed
- Set himself a task - don't by anything new for a whole year - occasionally will buy specific things from Primark - cheaper shop
- Cheaper to recycle / salvage - aim of our show, makes cheaper clothes look more expensive
- Makes hair accessories - big bows for hair
- Doesn't go clothes shopping in the high street
- Availability?? - 20th march, 10th april, 17th, 18th, 19th dates are needed
- He doesn't physically make his clothes (with needle and thread) and this will be following on from DIY and watching someone make clothes - however this is a different type of DIY because he's still creating something from something else / up-cycling it, making it new again.
Katie, Gavin, George and I spoke together after watching the interviews and decided who we wanted as our drag act - Oliver Lewis
Although Oliver is very young, he's had a lot of experience since he's started at 10 years old. He also incorporates his drag act work into his school art projects so he is constantly working on his look and performances. He makes his own clothes so will follow on nicely from the DIY segment.
No comments:
Post a Comment