From Drag Queen to Dragon: Uncovering the layers of Ogre-inspired parody show Swamplesque

After a sold-out Australian tour and having been decreed a new name, Ogre-inspired burlesque and drag parody show Swamplesque is coming to Perth Comedy Festival 2024. Offering a smorgasbord of performance styles, including burlesque, drag, musical theatre, and even opera, the award-winning show hits Regal Theatre for four shows from Friday, April 26 until Sunday, April 28, with tickets on sale now. Ahead of its arrival in Perth, BRAYDEN EDWARDS caught up with one of the show’s stars, award-winning Drag Queen BeBe Gunn, to uncover the layers of the show and find out how it feels to take on the famous role of Dragon.

It’s great to have Swamplesque back in WA for Perth Comedy Festival this year! What are you looking forward to most about your season here?

The cast is so excited to bring the Swamp back to Perth! Most may not know WA was the birthplace of Swamplesque in 2020, so we just enjoy being back where the magic all began for us.

The show is a returning favourite in Perth, but how does this compare to what we may have seen here before? 

Since we toured with the show in 2022, we’ve had a heap of changes, so you’re sure to still see something new along with your favourite bits from last time. I’m now pulling double duty as Pinocchio and Dragon, Drag and Cabaret legend Tash York has joined us as “Princess Number Three” (named for legal reasons), and we added back some old classic songs from the movie too.

One of the characters you play, Dragon, is a favourite of mine, and I’m sure for a lot of other people too! What do you love about playing Dragon?

I’ve been the Dragon since day one, so the role is very close to my heart. I enjoy that the role brought me closer to our Donkey, Henny Spaghetti, who I adore, and also that it helped me master new skills. I’m now able to do some awesome fire tricks! You just have to be careful around the wigs!

You’re also known as one of Queenland’s ‘most irreverent queens’ and were crowned Brisbane Drag Performer of the Year in 2020 and 2021. What do you feel Drag Queens and dragons have in common?

Well, Dragons have scales, and so do some of the Drag Queens I know… For me, it would be the fire breathing and my acid tongue!

Apart from yourself, obviously, what else is fun and exciting that we will experience if we venture into the world of Swamplesque?

Our cast is world-class, so everyone will love something different. From start to finish, you will see different burlesque elements, sideshow, drag, and a big green man who can move like no one’s business!

Apart from the laughs, there are some deeper messages in this story as well. As one who has spent some time with them, what would you say we can all learn from an ogre?

I truly believe this show is the closest you can get to real-life magic. Our ogre friend spent his days locked away from the world because he was different, so there is something truly poetic about eight very different people coming together and sharing themselves with the world so freely. Come to our show with an open heart, and I promise you that you will leave a different, more whole person.