TESTO

Wet Mess meddifies transitions, testosterone and the edges of drag. Come and discover surreal spectacles, dykey desires and a choreography of guttural sexuality in a performance combining movement with pre-recorded interviews. Wet Mess pinches at the dull flesh of life where the magical is in the mundane and made-up sh*t becomes real. Wet Mess is a wet mess, horny for your confusion. Let it all out and guess again at the insecure balding white man, p*ssy prince, alien baby. Have a lollygag, think about your fantasy flesh suits, call me sweet prince, and remember Roger in a robe. Choose to make some silly campy decisions, with all the hairy thems and dykey men. Mainly thinking about cunnilingus cunni cunni lingus but also being more unknown than known. All I really wanna do is strip for the stripper and drive her home with the dogs.

Content Warning: This show contains nudity and addresses issues of gender with graphic language and explicit actions.

Ages 17+

Duration: 60 minutes

“Wet Mess’ shows are not only thrilling and wild but somehow sweet and life enhancing.” – The Guardian

Wet Mess (they/them) works across drag, movement direction, theatre, and live art. In 2021 they won Not Another Drag Competition (RVT) and have since been largely working in drag, cabaret and nightlife. In 2023 they were part of Travis Alabanza's Sound of the Underground (Royal Court) and Emma Frankland’s Galatea at Brighton Festival. Their film work has been funded by Jerwood Arts and screened at Thunderdance, Raindance, London Short film festival, ICA and The Photographers’ Gallery and won multiple awards. Movement direction work has included choreographing videos for Will Young and London Grammar. Solo and collaborative works have been shown in multiple contemporary contexts such as the Tate Britain, The Southbank, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Battersea Arts Centre, The Place, Shoreditch Town Hall, Walker Gallery, and Baltic39. As a performer, they have worked internationally with Pester & Rossi, Monster Chetwynd, Donna Huanca, Oriana Fox, Cecile B Evans, Molly Palmer, Beth Kettel, Bhebhe&Davies, Joseph Bond, and Rebecca Lloyd-Evans.

Creator/Director: Wet Mess

Production: Lucia Fortune-Ely & Nancy May Roberts (Metal & Water).

Production Co-ordinator: Miz Barber

Costume: Jordan Sherman / Lambdog1066

Sound: Baby

Lighting: Josh Hariette

Dramaturg: Travis Alabanza

Set: Ruta Irbīte

Interviewees: Trans Punk Elder, Baby, Angel, Shrek666, Santi Sorrenti, Danni Spooner, Sue Maclaine, Svar Simpson, Felix Mufti, Ben Vyle.

Commissioned by The Yard Theatre, Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge Junction.

With support from Factory International, Manchester, and Arts Council England, Battersea Arts Center, Quench Gallery, Queercall Folkestone, Colchester Arts Centre, Raze Collective. Winner of Here and Now commission for Edinburgh Festival.

Presented by Under the Radar at Dixon Place