SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND

About the show

This show is a wild ride through the world of drag, where a group of unforgettable performers, including Ms Sharon Le Grand, Chiyo, Sadie Sinner, Lilly Snatch Dragon, Rhys’s Pieces, Sue Gives a Fuck, Wet Mess, and Midgitte Bardot, come together to put on a show that celebrates the history and importance of queer nightlife while also confronting the challenges they face in their industry and society at large. The play is divided into three distinct acts, each with its own unique flavour. Act 1, “The Play,” is a satirical, stylised drama that follows the drag performers as they plot to take down an unnamed target who represents the commodification and sanitisation of their art form. Act 2, “The Business,” dives deep into the realities of the performers’ lives, exploring the financial and artistic compromises they must make to survive in an increasingly mainstream and commercialised drag scene. Finally, Act 3, “The Dream/Their Arrival,” is a surreal and celebratory exploration of the magic and resilience of queer nightlife, as the performers luxuriate in their art and share their stories. Throughout the play, Alabanza fearlessly tackles themes of queer resilience, chosen family, the commodification of drag, the importance of queer spaces, and the ongoing struggle for acceptance and survival. The play’s structure is non-linear and highly meta-theatrical, blending elements of drag performance, cabaret, lip-syncing, and direct audience interaction to create an immersive and provocative experience that celebrates the subversive power of drag while also acknowledging the challenges faced by the performers.