Performing has always been on my horizon. I’ve been inspired by theatre and film for as long as I can remember—I was completely obsessed with Helena Bonham Carter (Red Queen forever!) and the wild, complex roles she played.These days, I find inspiration in the people I get to work with, or I’ll head out to see as many live shows as I can.There’s so much incredible talent out there, it’s honestly impossible to pick just one influence.

My first time on stage was in a primary school musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, calledHonk!. From there, I studied drama all through high school and made sure I was part of every musical I could. Still, I never expected it to turn into a full-blown career.

I grew up on the Gold Coast in Australia—a pretty beach town that has grown into a full-on city. It’s a beautiful place, but it definitely had its challenges growing up. As a queer kid, the community felt either super small or kind of hidden, and homophobia wasn’t exactly hard to find. Most of my exposure to queer culture came through the internet, and by the gorgeous and strong queer leaders. Thankfully, things have changed a lot since then.

There are now so many amazing queer events and people pushing for progress—and I’m so grateful to them for paving the way, protecting and making space for uncertain queer boys, girls and everyone in-between alike.

I didn’t grow up doing dance or circus, but I kept busy with as much as I could. I played football for 15 years, I have a bachelor’s degree in Photo Media, studied Pharmacy for two years (L O L), and did a year of multimedia coding. Work-wise, I’ve been a bar manager, mixologist, photographer, retail, and more on a relevant note, trivia host and a ball boy for drag bingo. Safe to say I had my finger in a few pies.

The real turning point came during COVID, around 2019/20. I lost my bar job, and with lockdowns in place, we were only allowed to travel within a five-kilometre radius. I happened to live across from a massive park, and a friend who lived nearby asked if I wanted to try roller skating. (Love you, Amy!) I was instantly hooked. I started on flat ground, then moved to skate parks, and eventually got into rhythm and dance skating. I had so many incredible women who taught me so much and skated with me every day, but skating took over my life (well, that and watching endless slime tutorials).

A few months in, drag bingo started back up again, and during the iconic number 69 callout, we’d do surprise performances. One night, I threw on my skates, completely winging it. I ended up getting my first-ever standing ovation. Looking back, it makes me cringe a little, but it was a life-changing moment for me. Something clicked.

Later that year, the queens I worked with landed a spot in Flamboyance, the first queer production at The Pink Flamingo. I joined the cast as a rollerskating cat—very Jellicle of me. I also was asked to learn to spin Spanish web for one of the queens. Eventually, the venue’s owner, Sue Porret, asked if I’d be interested in joining her circus school, Aerial Angels, and I jumped at the opportunity.

I trained hard—five days a week—while still bartending, managing and performing in multiple shows at The Pink Flamingo and Drag Bingo. In 2022, I randomly landed a tour with a children’s show called Chores. A one-hour acrobatic kids show with a cast of two! We did a full UK run, including the Edinburgh Fringe, and things started to snowball from there.

Now, I’m in London, performing in Sabrage, an absolutely wild and spectacular show directed by Scott Maidment and co-produced by Menier Chocolate Factory and Strut & Fret. It’s genuinely a dream gig—I get to dance, rollerskate, do acrobatics, play with character, and have a stupid amount of fun doing it.

This career has completely changed my life. It’s helped me grow, meet amazing people, stay (mostly) fit, and travel to places I never imagined I’d see. I’m so grateful to be where I am—and even more excited for what’s coming next. Because, honestly? I’m only just getting started.

You can see Christian Nimri in Sabrage, booking until 16 June 2025 at Lafayette, 11 Goods Way, London N1C 4DP, United Kingdom.

Buy your tickets now.

www.sabrageshow.co.uk