Sounds of the Underground Review
How much do you know about drag? Probably more then I do. The first time I ever encountered this art form was last week at the Royal Court Theatre.
Before attending the show, I made sure to check the website to get a better understanding of what the play was about and to look out for any content warnings. Surprisingly, war scenes were not mentioned in the triggers section, which could have been a potential trigger for some individuals. I believe that the triggers section is crucial, as it allows people to make an informed decision about whether or not they want to see the show.
The show itself was a mix of musical theatre and striptease, with some interesting special effects that made me forget I was in a theatre and not watching a film. The use of slow-motion, changes in light, and music added a comedic element to the show, which was entertaining. However, what struck me as odd was the audience's reaction. The show's content seemed to attract a predominantly male audience, and I could hear their "Woah!"s and "Yeek"s throughout the performance. As a theatre-goer, I found this behaviour disrespectful to the theatre itself.
With regards to the contents, the play touched upon the topic of drag as a dying genre. This made me ponder whether the growth of acceptance towards more feminine behaviour in males has led to a decrease in interest in drag. Or is it rather a financial issue?
Although my first experience with drag was thought-provoking, it was not entirely positive. The lack of trigger warnings for potentially sensitive content was concerning, and the audience's behaviour during the show was distracting and disrespectful. Additionally, the play's discussion of the decline of drag as a genre left me feeling disheartened about the future of this art form. Overall, while I appreciate the opportunity to have witnessed drag, my first experience left me with mixed emotions and a sense of disappointment.