Above: Etcetera Etcetera, creator and performer of ‘Big Screen, Small Queen’. Featured image: Etcetera Etcetera performs with Dancer/Choreographer Carter Rickard and dancer Jack Williams. Images; Matthew Miceli Photography.
Opening on Valentine’s Day Eve, this thought-provoking, heart warming entertainment will thrill any crowd assembled in the KXT space. Any healthy Valentine worth their salt this WorldPride or ever would do well to consider the themes of growth and survival explored with engaging, honest integrity in this show.
Growing up. Studying. Learning skills to express yourself, including creatively. Choosing the person you must be. Choosing who deserves to get close to you. Negotiating which path is the best for you to travel the happiest along. Working out how to repair and build confidence. These familiar challenges are discussed in the show referencing Etcetera Etcetera’s formative film school era diary.
The performance and production level is high here, bringing the intimate space to amazing life. It makes you feel like you are backstage in a tiny dressing room then hurls you into a big stage, main show vibe. Kudos to the Fruit Box Theatre production, creative and staging team for calibre of this event with regards to its flow and fabulous sheen.
Collaborating on choreography for the two super slick, uber precise and witty support dancers is performing dancer Carter Rickard, who offers an impressively sucessful and value-adding contribution here.
Like any good film student, the live spot numbers are all captured by a camera and beamed behind the centre-stage dais documenting this tranche de vie and expanding the Kings Cross Theatre space with added dimension and depth.
Lovers of classic, quirky, elegant and edgy drag will love the numbers which act as scintillating tropes beside the intimate personal narrative in Etcetera Etcetera’s talk spot moments. These drag routines are complete with wigs various, characterisations complete, dancers dynamic, divine dresses and outlandishly effective coats.
Above: Etcetera Etcetera performs at the Kings Cross Theatre, Kings Cross Hotel. Image: Matthew Miceli Photography.
Diversity of style, comment and performance capabilities is keen here. It is quite the show reel from the drag star we get closer to throughout the show. Topics covered are universal but this rite of passage through to needing to be a drag performer comes gilded with numbers including in its final flurry songs from La Cage aux Folles, Priscilla Queen of the Dessert and the iconic film, musical theatre and rainbow fan fave, Sunset Boulevard.
This script approaches its youth to growing into oneself material in a way that is never predictable, too transparent to ever be pretentious and not short on planned or spontaneous humour.
The momentum demanded of any busy drag performer is kept real for us during this non-traditional torch song with costume and wig changes on stage. Such a close-up on preparation comes with well characterised assist from the dancers turned prop hands as well as dressers, in quasi Greek Chorus duo mode.
There are short film fragments created by Etcetera Etcetera’s film school student alter ego on show at interval and in the show’s second half. After the show audience can get even more candid with a Q & A segment with Etcetera Etcetera.
The shifting expanses of this drag-cabaret romp expose a busy large-hearted queen with a big-screen talent. Dancing alongside the smart, sensitive storytelling is the bravery to de-wig to share a déshabillé, vulnerable side. This worthwhile WorldPride event will inspire you to forge ahead into the future as the you that you need to be.
Big Screen, Small Queen plays at KXT – Kings Cross (244-246 William St, Potts Point NSW 2011) until Feb 23. Book tickets at:
https://www.fruitboxtheatre.com.au/big-screen-small-queen
