Drag Queen Stole My Dress | WA Hellenic Club | Feb 14,18,19,20 | ★ ★ ★ ½

Giillian English has a tale to tell, it’s the one about that time a Drag Queen stole her dress, but to get to that fateful interaction you need to know the back story that led to the Canadian comedian having a show down with a member of the queer clown fraternity.

While studying classical acting in snow filled remote Halifax Nova Scotia, English decided to visit a wedding dress sale, she wasn’t engaged but she was hopefully, and what kind of a girl walks past a bargain sale.

English’s decision to buy a wedding dress, which she wears through out the performance, while cracking open stubbies of VB, leads us into a journey of relationship decisions, identities questions and challenged self-esteem.

It’s a comedic look at the way we approach relationships, rediscovering our own voice and learning how to not be a doormat. English is a great storyteller and wasn’t phased by the small audience who turned up to her late night Saturday show.

English’s blunt honesty about her bad life choices is confronting and will for a moment make you stop and think about where you’re at in life and what dumb decisions you might be making and what appalling behaviour you might be putting up with.

There was a point mid-way when my interest dropped slightly, but the story picked up for it’s climatic finish. If you’re feeling sad and alone on Valentine’s Day – go see this show – you’ll discover that being part of a couple can be far worse.

Gillian English has a second show called ‘Get Around Me’ that is showing from Monday to Wednesday this week. Get all the details at www.fringeworld.com

Graeme Watson