SHEER Obsession’s regular drag showcase was once again back at the Rising Sun Arts Centre, bringing with it a host of queer talent.
Host Sheer Obsession kicked off the show with a Barbie-themed skit, appearing in a large box with a see-through screen while lip-syncing to “I’m a Barbie Boy”.
After they broke out, they introduced Philli Mi Up, who performed a selection of heartfelt, original poetry dealing with identity, struggles with body confidence, and the importance of safe spaces for queer people.
They followed up with a moving lip-sync before Pastor Will took to the stage.
The Pastor gave a riotously witty spoken word performance full of energy before revealing to sparkly, patterned suit for their closing skit.
Duac then performed a stirring lipsync to King Missile’s I Am a Sensitive Artist which saw them painting an abstract piece before tearing it up.
Astro then gave assured vocal performances, beginning with a mellow, down-beat cover of The Cheeky Girls’ Cheeky Song, before performing a number of original songs.
A particular highlight was “Love Story for Myself,” which mixed a melodic sung vocal with faster, rapped elements, before closing their set with the laugh-out-loud “Let’s Never Have Kids.”
Philli returned to perform some more poetry exploring the importance of allyship both within and from without the LGBTQ+ communities, and closed with a lipsync to Stand By Me.
Duac then wrapped up the show with an anarchic performance featuring a number of classic artworks, and which came to a head when they pushed their head through a reproduction of Edvard Munch’s The Scream.
Philli Mi Up said after the show: “As drag is a queer art form, bringing my whole identity and whole self to my performance is so important.
“I’m non-binary, plus-sized– things that so often get vilified– so bringing that unashamedly to the stage shows that we are beautiful, and valid.
“That’s what I try to do with my drag.”
Philli performed at last year’s inaugural Trans Pride after party following Reading Pride’s Love Unites Festival.
Since then, they said: “I think sadly the trans ‘debate’ just isn’t a debate, but because it’s been put forward as one, we’ve taken a step back, and it’s getting to a scary place.
“We’re at risk because of the toxic environment, so I’d love to say we’ve moved forwards, but things are getting worse.”
They explained that drag is a method “of bringing the issues to people and helps them hit home in an emotive way, while also being entertained.
“That’s what I love to be able to do with my drag; to bring the educational element into the entertainment.
“Support the LGBTQ+ community; we will embrace you, and we need our allies more than ever.”
Host Sheer Obsession said that while hosting can be stressful, “people were so supportive, and even our London-based performers have commented on how good the crowds were.
“It shows the community spirit that we have here, in a space we’ve created together.”
Sheer Obsession has confirmed that the next SOS drag night is set for Saturday, October 28, and will focus on a Hallowe’en theme.
Full details are available via: risingsunartscentre.org
