I’ve managed to get to nine theatrical performances as part of Midsumma this year, which is more than I’ve managed in the past… and although I’ve enjoyed all of them on one level or another, none have wowed me quite like Justin Sider’s Dickless.
Perhaps there’s an element of novelty: I’ve seen drag kings perform in a few places, but this is the first feature show I’ve seen from any drag king. And he did the one thing I love to see drag artists doing more than anything else: their own vocals! But in essence, the wow factor here is, quite simply, balance.
On face value, Justin Sider’s show sits neatly into the farce category… it is light and hilarious, and features a contiguous plot with no extraneous filler or diversion. He maintains a consistent character who is likeable and instantly engaging, and he draws the audience into the farcical scenario—of a competitive lap dancer who misplaces his penis—with witty and relatable humour that is at once crass and wonderful. No small achievement there. But the beauty of this is that it packs (if you’ll pardon the pun) into this farcical story a simple and digestible moral: that it is ok to be dickless.
The resulting affirmation, delivered with a little pathos and lashings of hilarity, is absolutely uplifting in every way.
Sadly, it appears the show has finished its current run, so if this is the first you’ve heard of it, you’re too late… the last performances I can find are in Albany WA… which, frankly, may be worth the four day drive!
Foyer Talk 