God is a Scottish Drag Queen III
Westbury Theatre (10330 84 avenue) August 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22
More information: mikedelamont.com
Mike Delamont in God is a Scottish Drag Queen. Photo credit: Casey Bennett at Casey Bennett Photography
An interview with Mike Delamont.
Describe your show in five words.
It’s Like Church… but not
Okay, now that we’re intrigued… what’s the longer description?
God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes down to skewer everything from Evangelicals to Moses in an unforgettable hour of comedy
Your fringe show this year is God is a Scottish Drag Queen III – how is part 3 different from parts 1 & 2? What is the overarching story arc between the three shows?
In part one I thought I was answering all the big questions that people had ever wanted to ask God. Turns out I wasn’t even close, so in part two I asked people online what else they wanted to know, and answered the top 7 questions. In part 3 I answer all of the strange questions that I have been asked by folks over the past few years. The story through all three is spending an hour with God. Part three we get to discuss the craziness of religion, people and the world… and what better place than Edmonton!
As I said in my review of God Is a Scottish Drag Queen, one of the things that stood out most to be about your performance style is that it feels somewhere between improv and scripted. What is your process for creating your work?
The goal for me is that when people leave they have no idea what jokes are actually improvised and what ones have been told 100 times. I create the show in a public workshop. I write all of the pieces on my own and then perform it live to see what is funny and what is a big flop. I figure out the order, and that wonderful performance stress allows me to improvise and create on the spot. My favourite section in part three was made up on the spot in the first performance. I don’t think I would have ever thought about it sitting alone with my note pad.
Okay, I’ve gotta ask, how did the floral power suit get incorporated into the God Is a Scottish Drag Queen series? What is its significance to you and/or your character?
When myself and Jacob Richmond created the character for Atomic Vaudeville, we both liked the idea of God being in a dress. In all of the painting and tapestries he is in a flowing frock and we liked that it was strong and slightly effeminate. When I went to value village to see what I could find, this floral two piece was there. I liked it right away and all I could think was… how big was the woman that wore this!? Now I have a second suit, more of a mauve plaid, that was made just for me. My wife likes to point out that my new power suit cost 3 times more than her wedding dress.
Anything else you want audiences to know about the show?
People don’t need to have seen part 1 or 2 to enjoy this show. They are all stand alone shows
Bonus question: Any names you want to drop who have been involved in your show (Edmonton arts people or otherwise)?
Murray Utas, Beth Dart, and the staff of the fringe have always been very kind and generous to me.
The 34th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is August 13 – 23. Get your tickets at tickets.fringetheatre.ca.