Fussy

In three words: silly, salacious, (thigh-)slapping

Dish the goss: I’m a firm believer that you can’t have a bad night at Soho Theatre. An evening of drag by Daisy Doris May (ooft it’s a strong name) in the downstairs area does nothing to disabuse me of my theory. Since winning Man Up, Europe’s biggest Drag King competition, in 2022, May has become known for her addictively ludicrous yet well-rounded characters, and Steve Porters ‘Lock Up Your Daughters’ is no exception.

May has developed a lovable antihero in Steve, a neck-tatted Guildfordian geezer who can teach anyone how to pull. Titled, How to Mate: a Ted XXX talk, it’s a predictably riotous demo on how to get ‘birds’ into bed.

Never before have I been in an audience so up for doing some truly excruciating things, in particular synchronised tongue exercises (this was too much for me, I have to say).

Pints aside, the crowd’s willingness is a testament to May’s prowess as a performer: you’ll find yourself so absorbed by her commitment to the character that you’ll even let your mum be flirted with should you take her along – and she will be flirted with, trust me.

Steve’s weakly feminist takes are sprinkled in between filthy chat up lines. All this ramps up the hilarity: If she doesn’t like you, THAT’S OKAY is one of his mottos. Lessons on masculinity are embedded into Steve’s tomfoolery, and vulnerability becomes him.

How to Mate is a fever-dream of a show, accented by the heady aroma of Lynx Africa. If you’ve never seen a drag king before, Daisy Doris May is best in class.

Catch How to Mate: a Ted XXX Talk back in London in March/April next year. Exact dates to be announced on Daisy’s instagram, where you can find details of other upcoming shows.

This article was originally published by LONDNR as part of The LOWDOWN newsletter. Sign up at londnr.substack.com/