Review: The Big D
The Big D is a memorable one-hour show that takes the audience behind the glitz and glamour of the drag world. Along the way, we get to meet Abril LaTrene and Shaun Birtles—hearing directly from each performer about aspects of their lived experience. Expect brutal honesty, moments of great pathos, excellent drag performance, and a lot of laughter.
If you are expecting a drag show then you won’t be disappointed. Abril LaTrene is an international emcee and performer who is bold, big, and lip-synching blue—complete with fabulous makeup, wig and costume. And The Big D also features a local drag artist. On 17 May, this gave Gia Von She the opportunity to perform three numbers, demonstrating their love of all things Disney. Selecting their favourite Little Mermaid number (‘Part of Your World’) was a great choice, but my favourite of Gia Von She’s three numbers had to be ‘Feeling Good.’ Let’s hope that Gia Von She gets to sing this number with the big band that those vocals deserve.
But The Big D is not only Drag with a capital D; the show has been created by Abril LaTrene/Shaun Birtles to touch their personal story of drag, drinking, and determination. In lifting the sequined curtain, the audience is reminded that the drag world is not all glitz and glamour. And, that when a performer ends evenings getting ‘blackout drunk’, they can come to the realisation that they may just need to divorce themselves from their much-loved performing career.
Picture: Gia Von She (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Shaun Birtles (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Abril LaTrene (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Abril LaTrene (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Fortunately for audiences, there is a positive end to this true story; Abril LaTrene and Shaun Birtles are still here, now as a performer now based in Brisbane.
But you do need to be quick if you want to hear more. Abril La Trene confirms that the 24 May, 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival performance ‘will be the very last time I perform this little show. Bringing it to South East Queensland as part of @anywherefestmoretonbay and giving it the send-off it deserves is truly bittersweet.’
Abril LaTrene and Shaun Birtles’ show is a funny, thought-provoking, bittersweet drag tale of sometimes brutal honesty. Lots to enjoy, and food for thought in the days to come. But you will have to be quick; their final show deserves to be a sellout.
Picture: Abril LaTrene at Method Art Collective - a funky and intimate Anywhere Festival venue (credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program includes only two performances of The Big D (17 & 24 May 2024, each 7:30pm) at Method Art Collective, 2/29 Kenworth Place, Brendale. Tickets $15-$22. 60 minutes (recommended 15+). Warnings include coarse or crude language, sexual references, subject triggers, and occasional suicide references.
The reviewer attended the 17 May 2024 performance.