Death & dressing up
These two things seem so opposite but so unmistakably connected, dressing up and dying. Whatever the uniform, it seems that any attempt to improve our appearance reminds us of the fate of our character. The show is a chance to enjoy the theatrics of death through some historical examples and our own take on the genre of ‘Vanitas’. Bookended by two great biographical songs by Robyn Herfellow, the tales of the infamous demise of Dietrich Graf von Hülsen-Haeseler and the sad tragedy of Frances Anderson, we explore ideas of vanity, beauty and the inevitable loneliness of being an individual within this world. Being one of our ensemble shows it has also included such highlights as The Dying Swan (performed by Maok Błaszczak with Dan Smith on saxophone), an electrifying performance by Walki’s Monster, Margaret’s shit-magic show, as well as singing and dancing from variety of talented queer performing artists.
Past performances
10th October 2019 | The Bethnal Green Working Mens’ Club (London)
Performers
Robyn Herfellow | Margaret Leppard | Ben Sumner | Alex Haines | Dan Smith | Rod Oughton | Maok Błaszczak | Luisa d. rozo | Walki’s Monster
Set
With beauty - Based on a Navaho prayer set to an arrangement by The Doors
Warmup - Audience participation
Dietrich Graf von Hülsen-Haeseler - Lyrics and music by Robyn Herfellow
I’ve got the blues for you baby - Walki’s Monster
Gold - Performed by Margaret
Song - Luisa d. rozo
Poor Edward - Tom Waits cover performed by Robyn Herfellow
Tranny Trash - Improvised musical story by Margaret
Margaret picks an outfit - Band improvisation with performance by Margaret
A cue is a stick, a ball is a ball - Lyrics and music by Robyn Herfellow
Outro (I have a daughter) - Music by Robyn Herfellow
The dying swan - Monika Błaszczak dancing to Saint-Saëns played by Dan Smith
After party - DJ Musty Springfield
5th May 2022 | The Bethnal Green Working Mens’ Club (London)
Performers
Robyn Herfellow | Margaret Leppard | Ben Sumner | Vyvycious | Jack Perry-Cockings | Eliot Jones-West | Willa Faulkner | Cassandra
Image - Henri T