Writer: Trish Weinman
Director: Kade Cipher
“Say, ‘Yes, Mistress,’” the audience is instructed at the start of the BDSM-themed Provocateur. “You’re my new toy.”
Writer-performer Tish Weinman, in their persona as drag dominatrix Letitia Delish, is a commanding presence as the PVC-clad woman in control, complete with her “object” (Alex Chorley in an all-in-one gimp suit) as the duo prepares for a new client. But just as it starts to look like we are in for an hour of watching other people’s sadistic sex play, rivulets of humour begin to develop, like sweat from under a latex mask.
And masks are very much the theme, at least of the metaphorical variety. We soon flash back to Weinman’s early days as a drama student, with teachers criticising their supposed effeminacy, playing into the young actor’s own struggles with their gender identity. Looking for some way to have control over their own life, Tish leans into their love of kink, combining a liking for fetishwear with the first exploration into a trans identity.
As “Letitia” is born, a hookup via Grindr with a man who’s only beginning to explore his own kinks (Chorley, sweating in trackies and hoodie on top of the existing PVC bodysuit) forms the backbone of the play’s most comedic through line. With both parties unsure of what to do and yet trying to portray themselves as being far more knowledgeable than they are, Provocateur swings towards the farcical, with Weinman’s sharp writing eliciting great degrees of hilarity.
As Letitia begins to take over Tish’s life, the dominatrix side begins to pay the bills, and the clients increase. But so, too, does Weinman’s unhappiness. The BDSM role-play that they brought into their life to compensate for their feelings of vulnerability and rejection is just a mask, leaving those emotions in place and growing.
As the tables turn and Letitia becomes the dominated instead of the dominator, Weinman leaves themselves fully exposed. There is a profound sadness and emptiness at the heart of Letitia’s professional life – but that is not a critique of the BDSM sex work, more of Tish’s reluctance to take control of their inner feelings.
Provocateur’s provocation is that we all hide behind masks. Whether that’s through kinky sex play, gender norms or some other means, hiding from who we are is an unhealthy act. We may not need lashing with a riding crop to come to that realisation, but watching someone for whom BDSM is part of that journey is enjoyable even for those of us not into kink.
Runs until 20 August 2025
Camden Fringe runs until 24 August 2025
