Drag King pays homage to late brothers love of Dusty Springfield at the Marlborough Theatre

New York performance artist, Diane Torr brings her unique performance style to the Marlborough Theatre with Donald Does Dusty from Friday 11th – Sat 12th February. Donald Does Dusty is a performance exploring Diane’s late-brother Donald’s fascination with Dusty Springfield, his rise to fame and his untimely death. Diane will also be launching her new book Sex Drag and Males Roles co-authored with Stephen Bottoms at a special mustachioed launch event on Thursday 10th February accompanied by performances from local drag kings.

Donald Does Dusty draws upon both Donald and Dusty’s lives and careers. They shared a common heritage: both coming from lower class backgrounds; both singers and performers; both desirous of fame and both closeted gays in a homophobic Britain. Additionally, they were both forceful and demanding personalities who were demanding of those around them – and they were both given to dramatic outbursts.

During the early 70’s Donald was a singer and dancer in the television troupe, The Young Generation and later appeared in West End shows such as Anthony Newley’s, Stop the World, I Want to Get Off. Sadly, Donald died of AIDS in 1992. Donald Does Dusty pays homage to him and his determination to escape Mastrick (a housing estate in Aberdeen) and become a millionaire in London. It also deals with issues of bereavement and how to celebrate the spirit of all our loved ones who have passed on.

Diane is best-known internationally as one of the pioneers of “drag king” performance, and has taught her renowned “Man for a Day” workshop across Europe and North America, and in India. She developed her career in New York, where she lived for 25 years. Her performance Drag Kings and Subjects features prominently in the documentary film Venus Boyz (2002). More info on www.dianetorr.com
 

Date: Wednesday 12th January 2011