Testo by Wet Mess at BAC

I thought the collage-style artwork promoting the show was simply fantastic, and as we entered, a real sense of excitement was humming across the venue. Aside from that, and a warning of nudity, I had no idea what to expect.

Fortunately, I’m very fond of Battersea Arts Centre. Not only is it (relatively) local, but in the past year I’ve seen two other fantastic shows there: Figs in Wigs and L’Addition, so I knew we were in safe hands.

The team in the theatre bar before the show

Wet Mess is a performer who’s come through the drag circuit, having debuted their creative persona in 2019. They’ve won a drag contest at the legendary Royal Vauxhall Tavern, performed in a five-star reviewed play at the Royal Court and taken this show to Edinburgh Fringe.

So it’s not surprising that the one-person show, Testo shares qualities in common with the drag tropes we can recognise: runway strutting, lip-syncing and shocking reveals. The similarities, however, seemed to end there as Wet Mess’s performance crossed into unfamiliar territory to tackle broader themes.

Wet Mess lip-syncs along to a crowd-pleasing pop classic, to whoops and whistles from the crowd. Then, with a striking change in tone, they lip-sync over dialogue from people that have taken hormone replacement drugs. Describing the symptoms, giving the audience insight into the physical and emotional impact.

Later on, the lip-syncing shifts to quoting right-wing political figures making bigoted statements about gender. This felt like a rally, and it’s quite clear how the audience felt. Throughout the performance, the audience was supportive, passionate and loyal. Noticeably applauding the vulnerable moments when appropriate. The theatre felt like a kind and embracing safe space. This is what I love most about drag culture: the support provided to expose who you really are.

The ‘reveal’ comes early in the performance, however it’s not signalled by a customary musical crescendo – instead, the theatre falls silent. Wet Mess slowly peels off the masculine second skin they’ve been wearing, to reveal their naked body. The vulnerability is powerful.

The second half feels liberating, their body is being embraced and celebrated. We witness a fantastic strut in high heeled boots, oozing with confidence. Yet it is understood from the first half of the performance there can be discomfort and challenges around how we feel about the relationships between our bodies and our gender. Their performance left me questioning how I should feel.

Researching Wet Mess and their other work, their artistry became evident to me. A painted face throughout their catalogue of work is a fantastic mask, with techniques like a grid or stripes that create an illusion whilst protecting their identity.

What was most impressive from their performance was their presence on stage, the energy they not only conveyed but commanded in the room. Although there were sections of the show where I lost the narrative, it was still a mesmerising performance. This was a fantastic, educational celebration of drag culture and gender fluidity.

Illustration by Marco Amerigo for our Cultural Calendar.