The St. James Studio is delighted to announce that its first ever drag week will take place from 1 – 5 November. Three shows from some of the country’s most acclaimed drag performers will take to the studio stage: super-group Denim, androgynous signer Jessica Walker and West End star Ian Stroughair as alter ego Velma Celli.
DENIM
Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 November at 8pm
£20/£25
Drag super-group Denim was Cambridge University’s first and only professional drag troupe, watched and celebrated by thousands of students over the years. The Denims are five singers, actors and comedians: Glamrou La Denim, Crystal Vaginova, Electra Cute, Shirley Du Naughty & Aphrodite Greene.
Denim’s unique take on drag has been watched and appreciated by thousands, touring across the UK, including a performance with Florence & the Machine live onstage at Glastonbury.
For only two nights at the St. James Studio, the Denims will offer a glimpse into their epic life journey. What haven’t these five queens been through? They’ve played the Super Bowl, they’ve voyaged on the Titanic, and they’ve been to outer space and back. Tonight they lay bare the truth of their lives…don’t miss out on the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Denims like you’ve never seen them before.
LOVE IS A DRAG
Thursday 3 November at 8pm
£20/£25
‘Gifted singer Jessica Walker’ (NY Times) presents a provocative new programme of gender-bending love songs in her uniquely androgynous performance style. The new arrangements for voice, piano and accordion are accompanied by MD Joseph Atkins.
Walker’s last song programme, Mercy and Grand; the Tom Waits project, toured to critical acclaim and packed houses from London to Manchester to Adelaide. Now, alongside Waits and Cohen, she turns her attention to the great singer-songwriters of France, Britain and Germany, including songs by Neil Hannon, Jake Thackray, Mischa Spoliansky, Jacques Brel, and her father Pete Brown’s love songs, written with the legendary Jack Bruce of Cream.
ICONIC – A BRIEF HISTORY OF DRAG
Friday 4 and Saturday 5 November at 8pm
£20/£30
West End star Ian Stroughair (Eastenders, Cats, Fame, Chicago, Rent) is the man behind the makeup of the sensational Velma Celli.
Velma presents a monster of a review show, dragging audiences on a journey of the most iconic drag moments of film, the stage and popular culture.
Iconic – A Brief History of Drag is suitable for audiences aged 16 and over
www.stjamestheatre.co.uk