Queer joy from a performer without a scintilla of cynicism.
Beaverhausen the third (twice removed) is not of this earth. This Drag King comes from a space-town of lip syncers living happily within a Celine Dion tune, until – tragedy! – they get stuck inside Steps instead. Our hero has to come to earth to learn more about these strange people with their voices, music, and rules, and perhaps help us all understand and liberate ourselves in the process.
The show plays out part lip sync, part dance-off, and part joyous celebration of of the queer pop canon. It’s also a bit little-boy-lost, as Beaverhousen, aided by a kindly, faux-patrician voiceover, explores his surroundings with the wide-eyed wonder of an animated 1970s kids telly character, though with more twerking than Bagpuss ever attempted.
Beverhausen is a kind of Chaplin Burlesque, armed with a fin de siècle moustache and bright ginger eyebrows (hard relate).
His movements are hilarious, especially the little shuffles backwards with a thousand tiny cartoon steps, and the spins are like some cabaret star gone very wrong.
Winner of the 2025 Brighton Fringe “Cabaret & Variety” bursary, and directed by burlesque and musical comedy champion Selena Mersey, Beaverhausen is an open hearted celebration of queer culture. The multimedia elements, including charming animation, make this show even more inclusive*. This stuff is important and carefully planned and worked on – it’s as accessible as it can be, without ever compromising its vision.
During one joyous bit when Beaverhausen’s magic hands hover over audience members and unleash the song or monologue within, we’re reminded of Simon Munnery’s groundbreaking multimedia work The League Against Tedium. Here, though, the crowd is part of the celebration, and there’s never any punching down – a difficult thing to do anyway in sparkling orange oven gloves.
The way disparate footage and lip synced tunes help form a narrative and immersive singular universe is reminiscent of Frankie Thompsons’ CAttS – no small compliment – and the burlesque elements, always accompanied by huge screams of approval, are beautifully choreographed and beautifully silly.
In these dark times, a lot of queer shows at Fringe this year are – rightly – dealing with existential themes amid the rise and mainstream acceptance of far right narratives and policies. But there is still space for joy, wonder, and unapologetic celebration of difference – all qualities Beaverhausen has in sparkly bucketloads.
Reviewed on 22nd May. Returns to Komedia Studio on 28th and 30th May
*Future performances will also feature BSL signed accompaniment
