☆★★★★ DRAG ME OUT
'They
say you lose eleven minutes of your life when you smoke a ciggie. I lost a
whole lot more just trying to light the damn thing...'
Georgie Bailey’s new play, Drag Me Out, produced by Budding Rose
Productions, currently at the Hen and Chickens Theatre, is in vast contrast to
his last, more madcap offering, Euan.
Drag Me Out explores the effects of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) on Soho drag queen, Xannie, who ‘hasn’t left the four walls of
his flat in six months. Not since the night, he stepped into the neon pits of
Soho, where his voice was dragged down the back alleys, never to be heard
again. Not by his sister or his friends. No one. But Moe is coming. Moe will
listen. Moe’s about to change a lot of things.’
 |
| Jack Sunderland as Xan |
There is a lot more to discover about the reason for Xan’s
condition as the narrative unfolds, but there will be no spoilers here. Suffice
to say we experience a lot of the pain, confusion, anger and anguish associated
with his PTSD as his erratic and strange behaviour impacts on those closest to
him. His obsession with Noel Edmonds’ Deal or No Deal, Victor/Victoria and
Dickinson’s Real Deal all add to the desperation inherent in his condition but
also give some moments of humour in his need to cope on a day to day basis.
 |
| Alice Ivor, Jack Sunderland, Dylan McCormack, Chantelle Grace |
Jack Sunderland’s portrayal of Xan is fascinating, intimidating
and yet deeply sensitive as he swings from an overpowering dominant drag queen,
entirely in his audience’s face, to the confused, introverted damaged soul
unable to leave his flat. This is a totally authentic and thoroughly empowered
performance. Sunderland is supported by
an equally strong ensemble with Alice Ivor as Xan’s sister, Chantelle Grace as
Cas, friend, and Dylan McCormack as the enigmatic and menacing, Moe.
Budding Rose Productions should be applauded for their quest to
develop new writing as Drag Me Out is an exciting, challenging, smart and taut
new piece by Georgie Bailey. It is performed with depth and sensitivity by a
brilliant young ensemble and should not be missed - simply drag yourself out to
the Hen and Chickens Theatre now!
Writer: Georgie Bailey
Director: Rosie Snell
Set Designer: Greg Spong
Sound Designer: Benjamin T Jackson
Performers: Alice Ivor, Jack
Sunderland, Dylan McCormack, Chantelle Grace
Show Dates
Tues 27 Nov - Sat 1 Dec
Hen & Chickens Theatre
109 St Paul's Road, London N1 2NA
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