Initially an offshoot of Big Burns Supper’s popular Le Haggis cabaret, Queer Haggis, its LGBT-themed version, has acquired over the last few years a character of its own and became integral to the festival programme.
The show was hosted by Felix Le Freak, a fierce gender fluid drag creature, and aimed at being “as open and inclusive as possible, providing a safe space for everyone and welcoming queer artists and audiences,” as promised by the festival producers.
We were treated to the famous tongue-in-cheek Hanky Panky, the red handkerchief magic trick striptease from the burlesque queen Ursula Martinez, which once brought Prince Harry to standing ovation.
Dave The Bear, known as “body of burlesque”, wowed the Spiegeltent audience with his fantastic voice and a saucy water gun routine.
Lilly SnatchDragon was in turns crude, charming, outrageous and reverential as an Asian lady who came to Dumfries in search of a husband or wife to get her British passport.
I really enjoyed photographing a sparkling mix of award-winning nation-known cabaret stars and the local talent, such as Devine Tension who opened the show and Dirty Diane, invited to perform in Queer Haggis this year.
