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Life's A Drag

CABARET


Life's A Drag

The Pear Tree

38 West Nicolson Street
Pear Tree Indoor Stage: AUG 4-7, 9-14, 16-21, 23-28 at 18:00 (60 min) - Pay What You Can

Life's A Drag

Winner of Best Cabaret & Variety Show at Fringe World 2022 Life's A Drag takes you on a reality shaking rollercoaster ride of what it really takes to be a QUEEN! Australian Vocal Powerhouse Dean Misdale recounts side splitting real life encounters whilst giving you a behind the scenes look into the world of Drag. Tales of coming out and starting a career in drag right through to current day dating horror stories, Dean rolls all your favourite diva moments into one show stopping cabaret.

"unflinchingly honest, perfectly heartwarming, and hilarious" Broadway World, 2022

"authenticity, humour, and humility" Fringefeed, 2021

This year we have two entry methods: Free & Unticketed or Pay What You Can
Free & Unticketed: Entry to a show is first-come, first served at the venue - just turn up and then donate to the show in the collection at the end.
Pay What You Can: For these shows you can book a ticket to guarantee entry and choose your price from the Fringe Box Office, up to 30 mins before a show. After that all remaining space is free at the venue on a first-come, first-served bases. Donations for walk-ins at the end of the show.



News and Reviews for this Show

August 25, 2022    Ed Fringe Review

Dean Misdale’s Life’s A Drag is a fabulous blend of personal stories and karaoke music. She speaks about her life experiences since the start of the pandemic, including funny anecdotes about the jobs she worked in order to stay afloat and her experiences on Tinder.

These anecdotes and personal stories are punctuated by songs, which vary from heartfelt ballads to parodies of well-known hits. Most of them corresponded with the theme she had been talking about, such as singing Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 after talking about her short-lived job at a call centre during the pandemic. The stand-out song of the show is her parody of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ which is adapted to tell the story of her former obsession with KFC, changing the lyrics to ‘I Wanna Eat With Somebody’.

... Click Here For Review


Life's A Drag

August 12, 2022    The Student

Life's A Drag

Dean Misdale is a joy and a pleasure to watch. In a world that so often seems heavy and dark, they brought an hour of lightness and hilarity. Within seconds of walking in, they made the audience feel immediately at ease and safe; an ability that is actually quite scarce at the Fringe, amongst many of the stand-up performers.

Misdale captured the audience’s attention with a fabulous sequined blue dress that shimmered as they strutted into the intimate, packed venue at The Pear Tree. Despite the heat and the pressure of performing in front of an audience in a foreign country, given Misdale’s Australian roots in Perth, they managed a flawless look and performance throughout.

Misdale showcased their exceptional talent for singing, with an incredible range and an ability to engross the audience with their rendition of famously difficult numbers such as Whitney Houston and Tina Turner, amongst others. A particular highlight was when they showcased their parody piece that they wrote during lockdown, whilst working as a cleaner (or ‘special hygienist’ according to the job description) in a primary school, to make ends meet. A true ‘Quarantine Queen’!

Each musical piece was introduced with anecdotes from their own life and the trials and tribulations Misdale faced, especially throughout lockdown. These were as funny as they were heart-warming, and led to raucous laughter amongst the audience. Some of these musical interludes also featured a more serious message, with Misdale highlighting how important it is to support your children and loved ones, regardless of their sexuality or gender. This message, rightfully so, was met with applause, and approval which was so refreshing to hear – when so often this community is met with harassment and abuse. Not only this, but Misdale managed to segway smoothly between light-hearted jokes, songs and important messages, all whilst maintaining a space that left you feeling safe and at ease – which is no easy feat.

The performance left me with a smile on my face and feeling empowered to be myself, or whatever version of myself I wanted to be. So often at shows, as a woman, one is left feeling like your existence has been criticised or made fun of, but Misdale’s Life’s A Drag had the opposite effect. Life’s A Drag leaves you aching with laughter, having not only enjoyed an incredibly talented singer, but inspired, having seen someone who, despite the challenges they have had to face, has always made the best out of a situation, and always with a sense of humour.

Life’s A Drag is a hidden gem of the Fringe. A must watch show filled with comedy and musical talent by an Australian star. On at The Pear Tree at 6PM until 28th August. Click Here For Review


August 12, 2022    The Student Newspaper

Dean Misdale is a joy and a pleasure to watch. In a world that so often seems heavy and dark, they brought an hour of lightness and hilarity. Within seconds of walking in, they made the audience feel immediately at ease and safe; an ability that is actually quite scarce at the Fringe, amongst many of the stand-up performers.

Misdale captured the audience’s attention with a fabulous sequined blue dress that shimmered as they strutted into the intimate, packed venue at The Pear Tree. Despite the heat and the pressure of performing in front of an audience in a foreign country, given Misdale’s Australian roots in Perth, they managed a flawless look and performance throughout.

Misdale showcased their exceptional talent for singing, with an incredible range and an ability to engross the audience with their rendition of famously difficult numbers such as Whitney Houston and Tina Turner, amongst others. A particular highlight was when they showcased their parody piece that they wrote during lockdown, whilst working as a cleaner (or ‘special hygienist’ according to the job description) in a primary school, to make ends meet. A true ‘Quarantine Queen’!

Each musical piece was introduced with anecdotes from their own life and the trials and tribulations Misdale faced, especially throughout lockdown. These were as funny as they were heart-warming, and led to raucous laughter amongst the audience. Some of these musical interludes also featured a more serious message, with Misdale highlighting how important it is to support your children and loved ones, regardless of their sexuality or gender. This message, rightfully so, was met with applause, and approval which was so refreshing to hear – when so often this community is met with harassment and abuse. Not only this, but Misdale managed to segway smoothly between light-hearted jokes, songs and important messages, all whilst maintaining a space that left you feeling safe and at ease – which is no easy feat.

The performance left me with a smile on my face and feeling empowered to be myself, or whatever version of myself I wanted to be. So often at shows, as a woman, one is left feeling like your existence has been criticised or made fun of, but Misdale’s Life’s A Drag had the opposite effect. Life’s A Drag leaves you aching with laughter, having not only enjoyed an incredibly talented singer, but inspired, having seen someone who, despite the challenges they have had to face, has always made the best out of a situation, and always with a sense of humour.

Life’s A Drag is a hidden gem of the Fringe. A must watch show filled with comedy and musical talent by an Australian star. On at The Pear Tree at 6PM until 28th August. Click Here For Review


Life's A Drag Review

April 6, 2022    Broadway World

Life's A Drag Review

Following a successful 2021 run but with more of an amazing life to explore, Dean Misdale returns to Perth Fringe Festival with LIFE'S A DRAG: THE SEQUEL. Ever wanted to know how one of Perth's premier drag queens got to where they are? Prepare to find out in an entertaining and honest hour of anecdotes and matching songs.

As is normal for any of Misdale's shows, there is no warm-up or easing into it. They burst onto the stage and, after their first song, you are immediately taken into a hilarious anecdote of Misdale's early life. The story is honest and deeply personal, matched with a song that suits the anecdote. You may know Misdale's wonderful singing voice already but by prefacing each song with a story from their life allows the audience to explore and understand the feeling Misdale puts into each song. Over the course of the night, you find out a great deal about Misdale's personal journey to coming out, losing weight, and moving to Perth and discovering and becoming a part of the drag scene, told openly and honestly.

The songs are a wonderful journey from drag queen staples, songs that match the mood, and humourous reworkings, with a particular treat being a reworking of My Way that documents Misdale's troubled relationship with food in years gone by. Whilst each story is punctuated heavily with humour, there is room for a touching moment where Misdale speaks of their relationship with their mother and sings a tribute song. Misdale also touches on life, relationships, and being a pin-up for the vaccination campaign.

LIFE'S A DRAG: THE SEQUEL is unflinchingly honest, perfectly heartwarming, and hilarious, all in perfect balance. At times the connection is so genuine that Misdale's singing seems a nice treat rather than the bulk of the show. Whether you arrive as a fan/stalker of Misdale or as someone unfamiliar with their past and their body of work, you'll leave knowing a great deal more about them, and with a smile on your face. Click Here For Review



Press & Media for this Show

Life's A Drag