Canberra Reviews

A Drag Is Born, the award-winning solo performance by Spanish theatre-maker Edu Díaz, is a playful mix of clown, drag and physical theatre. Full of surprises, humour and moments of genuine tenderness, it's a show that celebrates the joy of discovering and embracing who you are.

Presented as part of Canberra's SpringOUT Festival, the work follows a man discovering his inner drag queen. But it's not so much the story that makes this production interesting as the clever and unexpected ways Díaz brings it to life.

From the outset, Díaz plays with our expectations. His surprising entrances, clever use of objects, costume changes and imaginative use of the space keep us guessing. There is a real sense of fun in the way he approaches the performance, and some wonderfully inventive moments.

Díaz takes risks, and this is one of the strengths of the show. Working without dialogue, he uses a series of perfectly pitched grunts, sighs and gasps. He gets this just right, adding another layer to his physical performance without overdoing it. His use of movement, sound and visual imagery shows just how much can be communicated without words.

He is also an endearing performer, often foolish, awkward and vulnerable. There are moments of real sweetness alongside the absurdity, and something quite lovely about watching a mature, hairy man discover and celebrate his feminine side.

There are moments where the work could benefit from a little more restraint. The central idea of self-acceptance is established early, but rather than developing or taking us somewhere new, the performance returns to it repeatedly. At times, the storytelling becomes too literal, particularly through the use of words printed on fabric, leaving little room for the audience to discover their own meaning. The work also seems to reach a natural and satisfying conclusion, only to continue well beyond it, losing some of the impact of what could have been a strong ending.

But there is plenty to enjoy in Díaz's playful approach to theatre. The strongest moments are the unexpected ones, when he trusts an image, a physical action or a clever reveal to do the work without further explanation.

A Drag Is Born is a funny, warm and wonderfully strange celebration of queer identity. Díaz's skill as a performer, playful imagination and ability to surprise his audience make the show a delight. It's a reminder of the importance of artists who challenge conventions, take creative risks and continue to open up new possibilities for what theatre can be.