MESSY FRIENDS is bizarre, chaotic and messy. The “drag-u-mentary” has taken the drag and burlesque scene by storm, sweeping up awards in Australia. With a unique storytelling element woven in to the hilarious and heartwarming show, MESSY FRIENDS have their audiences laughing and crying at the same time. MESSY FRIENDS returns to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August in an unmissable whirl of colour, costume and candour.
Can you describe your show for the uninitiated?
MESSY FRIENDS is a kaleidoscopic journey into the heart of queer experience and artistic expression. Our show is a unique blend of drag, lip-sync, burlesque, and dance, interwoven with documentary-style videos that offer a raw and candid look at our lives and stories. Hosted by the versatile and charismatic Ginava, the show explores themes of identity, resilience, and community through visually stunning and emotionally charged performances. It’s a celebration of diversity and friendship, inviting audiences to experience the joy, pain, and triumphs that define our lives, all wrapped in glitter and glamour.
Your show features incredible costumery – can you tell us a bit about how you created (and travelled with!) your wardrobe?
The costumes in MESSY FRIENDS are a labour of love, meticulously designed to capture the essence of each performance and performer. We draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including fashion, pop culture, and our own personal experiences. Many of our costumes are handmade, allowing us to infuse each piece with unique details that reflect our personalities and stories. Travelling with such an elaborate wardrobe is no small feat. We use a combination of vacuum-sealed bags, protective cases, and careful packing strategies to ensure everything arrives in perfect condition. Despite the challenges, seeing our costumes come to life on stage and the audience’s reaction makes it all worthwhile.
For many young queer folk, drag is not only a form of expression but also a safe space to explore their identity. Has performing helped you learn more about yourselves as people?
Performing in MESSY FRIENDS has been a transformative experience for all of us. Drag provides a powerful platform to explore and express parts of ourselves that might otherwise remain hidden. Through our performances, we confront and process our own experiences, traumas, and insecurities. This journey of self-discovery is both challenging and rewarding, allowing us to better understand who we are and to embrace our identities with pride and authenticity. The vulnerability and courage it takes to share our stories on stage not only helps us grow as individuals but also fosters a sense of solidarity and community among our audiences.
If you could have one special guest in your show for one night only, who would it be?
I would say someone like Sasha Velour would be incredible. The way she presents the art of drag through innovative territories with productions like “Smoke and Mirrors” and “The Big Reveal” is so inspiring. Having the opportunity to sit down with her and pick her brain about the creative process while also treating audiences to an iconic performance would be such a dream.
5. If you had to describe your show in three words, what would they be?
Drag-u-mentary
Kaleidoscopic
Unconventional
Messy Friends will be performed at 20:55 at Assembly George Square (Piccolo Tent) from the 1st – 25th August (not 13th)
Booking link: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/615-messy-friends