Double QX Cabaret Awards nominee and Pride’s Got Talent finalist Mr Party is one of the most imaginative and intriguing cabaret artists to appear on the cabaret scene recently.
That’s why I wanted to find out more about the guy who always brings the party and the jazziest suits..
Who is Mr Party?
Your dad on an ecstasy comedown with syphilis.
What’s your aesthetic?
Shawn Michaels (WWF) meets the 1970s.
What are you listening to?
Currently? The dishwasher. Otherwise: Steps, constant Steps. Much to Mrs Party’s annoyance.
How and why did you get into drag?
Whilst I was at Goldsmiths College studying Performance Art I started going to the shops or just hanging out dressed as a boy, in a cheap suit, smithy wig, with tights wrapped round my chest. I thought it was because I missed my ex-boyfriend, but I’m still doing drag now twelve years on. I have always loved costumes too.
You entered Pride’s Got Talent this year and reached the Grand Final. How was that whole experience for you?
It was amazing! I got to play the Apollo Theatre on my own. Just me, a guitar and a can of Red Stripe (They wouldn’t allow Stella). The love and support from everyone involved is truly touching; it’s made me believe in myself more. My family also came to support, and to walk out to your family clapping you dressed in drag is a very special thing.
Would you enter another cabaret competition?
You know of more competitions? Tell me about these competitions!!? Ehem…er… “yes.”
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?
When I was 5-years old I saw an advert for extra-strength strawberry Calpol on TV and knew it had to be mine. Luckily there was an advert for the Yellow Pages after, showing a child using it to reach the top shelf. So I used our Yellow Pages to reach the Calpol in the bathroom cabinet and drank the whole bottle. Then I lay laughing at the Yellow Pages Lonely Hearts section until I was taken to A&E. The doctor gave me a lollipop and laughed at me. My life has been a constant party since then which I can’t remember very well. It’s fucking great!
Top three drag idols?
Taylor Trash, Adam All, Gingzilla,
Where do the ideas come from for your parodies and how do you put them into practice?
Generally it’s just me singing a funny line, then laughing like a twat at myself and turning it into a song. Then I’ll tell Mrs Party who will roll her eyes, and I’ll try it out at a gig. The suits I make just come from my desire to manifest what I see as the ULTIMATE cool suit at the time.
What makes you happy?
Cocaine, prostitutes and low alimony settlements.
The world would be a better place without?
People being shits.
Who are your favourite new performers right now?
JennyBSide, Max Legroom, Clay Taurus, Keela Kraving.
What haven’t you done yet that you’d really like to do?
My aim is to get Mr Party on TV. I don’t know how, but I think he’d work on a show, if someone would just give this drag king alternative comedian a chance. Other than that, just the usual “more gigs for more money please”. I’m currently in the process of filming a music video that I’ll put on YouTube soon.
Who would you invite to a dream drag dinner party?
Freddie Mercury, Andy Warhol, Damien D’Luxe, Klaus Nomi, Tim Curry and Stormé DeLarverie.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I have a sock puppet penis.
Mr Party will be performing at Phantasmaglorious, Matchstick Piehouse, Railway Arches 213-214, Edward Place, London SE8 5HD on Monday 2nd September.
