We do get some very good jobs at Mag North and as Christmas approaches – and it all gets very festive and 'spangly' in our Bothy – the type of invitations we receive would even make Scrooge excitable. We’re currently on our 17th box of Mince Pies, 4th bottle of Mulled Wine and Wham’s Last Christmas is still on repeat. (We move to Dominik the Donkey on 1st December.)
We don’t do arguments as a rule, but when the chance to interview Veruca and Hernia – the gorgeous ‘Ugly Sisters’ from this year’s Cinderella at Contact Theatre came in – let’s just say there was a bit of a management difference-of-opinion about who would do it, which resulted in Elf-on-Shelf being thrown at somebody's head. (We should probably move on…)
Eight Freestyle’s Mancunian institution touches down at Contact’s Oxford Road Grotto on 9th December, but before they start having-a-go at poor old Cinderella, we chatted with the sisters, AKA Lady Bushra and Misty Chance.
Lady B and Misty are Manchester Drag Royalty – and loved by thousands. Originally from Bradford and Burnley respectively, this pair of ‘Twins’ will bring the house down in December.
Apologising for the amount of press interviews they must be doing, Lady B clarifies: “Whenever I get booked for any gig, I always say put me in front of press, because I'm an artist and most artists, although we won't admit it – we love talking about ourselves and so I don't have any issues at all. I'm not modest about it at all!”
That’s good to hear.
And Ms Chance continues: “The entertainment world [in Manchester] is quite a small world and all interconnected in some way. We all know what each other's doing. We cross paths on the circuit all the time. Although we’ve never worked together, when there's a production like this going on, you're bound to know three or four members of the cast or production crew, or both.
“That was how I got into it, because I'm friends with Red [Redmond – who plays Buttons] who's in the production and through him they contacted me to audition."
Misty confirms the dynamic between the sisters is really working already. “There's going to be two people playing one part really, and we need to gel. We need to bounce off each other. You have two complete opposite sisters, in styles. But, they're very much united, in a singular hatred towards Cinderella. That's what makes them a sisterhood, if you will, no matter how different each sister is."
So, should we expect a ‘traditional’ Cinderella? Contact has a real pedigree of ‘doing things differently’ – does that mean no glass slipper?
At this point Sean Canning, joins us. Sean is the Panto Director, but he’s also a writer, choreographer, producer – and one of the key members of Eight-Freestyle – the Manchester-based Production Company that undoubtedly puts the Show in Showbiz.
“That’s a good question. We are very aware of the work Contact and their Young Company has done throughout the year - and a Panto isn't something you might expect them to have. Contact said they were looking for a family show that would bring different audiences to the theatre and would bring family audiences along. And crucially, would bring in people that might not have been to any sort of theatre before. That is very much part of their remit to be a theatre in the community.
“We have always had a very modern approach to doing ‘traditional’ so, it is still a traditional show, however, we are engaging all sorts of modern themes and very up-to-date gags too. For instance, one of the themes of the Ugly Sisters is we're not really pushing the ugly side of the sisters because the pair of them are actually incredibly glam, so they're going to look spectacular. They're sort of ugly on the inside rather than rather ugly on the outside.
“Another theme is their [the sisters] addiction to Fast Fashion. They're constantly ordering new clothes, instead of wearing what they have already – and it’s Cinderella [played by Rebecca Crookson] who tries to explain that ordering all this stuff is bad for the planet."
This issue ties perfectly with Contact Young Company’s sell-out shows this summer, when they transformed Castlefield Viaduct into an amazing catwalk, to highlight the importance of recycling, reusing and repurposing our clothes.
Sean explains that although Cinderella is clearly the best type of Global Citizen, she isn't necessarily looking just for love: “She's looking to be free. She's looking to be her own person, to be independent, and so there is very much an ‘empowerment vibe’. The Prince too is looking for his independence and they find each other through that, rather than a sort of sloppy fairy story. We thought that was quite a nice modern take on it.
“One of the reasons I love Panto is it's a huge collaboration with the cast, particularly when you've got such amazing Comic Actors, Comedians and Stand-Ups as we've got in the cast this year. Red [Buttons] is a fantastic stand-up comedian. Within our show, we've got four amazing Manchester Stand-Up Comics and Drag acts – and you really could put them out without a script. They'd be amazing. I tell them where to stand and let them go basically."
The young company of dancers have started rehearsing – and the main cast join them next Monday (27 November). With only a week in studio and a week in tech before opening night, it’s going to be a hectic couple of weeks.
At this point it seems right to pause – and shine a light on the inspirational work of Misty Chance – when she’s not treading the boards, or entertaining the North West: As an Ambassador for George House Trust, Ms Chance explains it’s just: “Promotion and making sure that people know what exists.” But we know that it’s much more than that.
Since 1985, George House Trust has been inspiring people living with HIV to live healthy, confident lives by providing HIV support, advice and advocacy services, from its Ardwick Green North base.
Misty: “A lot of people (like my fans) are a little more comfortable speaking to someone on a casual basis, perhaps rather than to an official on a phone line. As a Drag Queen I seem to be sort of a matriarch type – and so lots of people come and talk to me.”
When DJing, Misty keeps ‘Safe Sex Condom P acks’ next to her DJ booth. “A little conversation might result. It’s just a care of duty really. A feeling of just being responsible - and explaining that if anyone has a problem you can go here or there and get help. George House are very good at helping.
“That's basically what I do, but I’m involved with fundraising events too. It’s vital to keep the cash flowing into the Trust.”
While we’re touched by Misty’s matriarchal matter-of-fact explanation – we know she deserves a massive round of applause (and very probably a gong.)
Drag has become much more mainstream and a staple of the entertainment industry over the last decade – and I wonder if both Misty and Lady B feel that has resulted in a greater sense of empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community?
Lady Bushra: “Yeah, I think definitely for me. There definitely is a spiritual element to Drag. I think when you are a member of the LGBT+ community, you are inevitably ostracised somewhat from the mainstream, right? And I think that Drag Acts are almost like the lighthouses. We are the beacon of our community in essence. I definitely regard myself as an entertainer – and I think the core of our offering is to remind people not to take life too seriously. When it comes to Panto, is there a better person to be a part of it than a Drag Queen?
“As far as reaching out is concerned and breaking down barriers, I'm so grateful and I'm so happy to be a part of Cinderella this year, because no matter how funny the script is, the stereotypes that it's challenging is absolutely phenomenal. This is the first time we're going to have a South Asian Drag Queen being a Dame in a Panto. That’s never been done anywhere. It's literally the first time, so it's just so exciting for me and the cast.”
You are all very much aware that you are breaking down barriers and empowering people – in addition to making them laugh and sending them home – having had a great time?
Lady B: “Absolutely. Before I used to be in denial of it or to sort of play it down. But I think everybody serves a purpose in life. You know, I think everybody, regardless of what you do, you bring value to people's lives. And I and I think I'm cursed to be an entertainer. I think this is my calling.”
Sean and Red collaborated on the script – and Sean’s clear: “There's hardly a line that doesn't have a joke in it. It's written so well, so, so well. We can play with it as the as the show develops, that's what keeps it fresh for the players too. Come the 31st of December and our last show, there’ll be stuff in there that the first show won’t have. It's very ‘live’ and that's what I love about that."
We've touched on this already, but the importance of what Contact does as a Community Theatre in the North West – was that a big attraction for you to work with them. Because I am really moved by some of the issues that they tackle head on and also the innovative ways that they do it. So was that a big thing for you to join forces?
Sean: “To be honest, it was a little bit daunting for me bringing a show there, because I know the values they have and I was worried that what we’d be bringing wouldn't quite fit their bill. But we met halfway, because we all want this show to attract new people to the theatre and expose them to live theatre. Involving the Youth Theatre this year for the first time –we're using some actors from Contact Young Company as part of the show and I'm really pleased about that. Reaching out to the community and involving people in the arts together, is what they [Contact] do so well.”
Before I go – and I’m sorry to be so predictable – I have to ask again: Is there a Glass Slipper?
Sean: “We've got we've got some of those traditions: We've got the Pumpkin Carriage. We've got the Glass Slipper. We've got all the things you might expect. The only thing we haven't got Interestingly, is the Wicked Stepmother.”
Well, I for one am really looking forward to coming along to see the show. Tell us why, in a nutshell, people should come along to see Cinderella at Contact this December?
Sean: “It's the classic pantomime and the way we do it is in a modern, upbeat, energetic, fun way. But most of all – it’s from Manchester. We are a Manchester company, we have Manchester performers. This is a truly local pantomime. And you will absolutely adore it!”
Misty: “Sean's just really made it. It is very traditional. It's very recognisable to anybody. Whether you’re a fan of Panto or never seen Panto before. Yet still it's got a couple of currents running through it that are ultra-modern. You can just watch and listen to the gags and watch the show and be dazzled by that. But if you are looking for something a little bit more refreshed for a modern audience, that's in there as well. It ticks all the boxes!”
Lady B: “I think you should come to see Cinderella at Contact Theatre because I'm in it. Let's face it now. It's Christmas, it's festive, it's feel good. When I speak to people, they have so many memories of their grandparents taking them to a Panto. It’s family orientated. Our Cinderella is Cinderella like never done before. It’s camp chaos - and that really excites me. So yeah, see it because it's Manchester!”
Eight-Freestyle and Contact Theatre Present Cinderella from Saturday 9 to Sunday 31 December.
For Tickets and Info CLICK HERE
