POLLYANNA
A REAL LIFE SHOW! (ONLINE)
1 to 4 October 2020
In October 2020, we put on a real show in Paradise Palms with no audience and streamed it out to the world.
We got together an incredible line-up of alternative and queer cabaret performers:
Featuring terrifically fierce and soft queer rap from RHYS’s PIECES, heel-kicking lip-syncing back-breaking glory from DESERT STORM, a peek into the world of trash and 80s horror from MISS ANNABEL SINGS, rap that is unafraid to challenge stereotypes and annihilate assumptions from NOVA SCOTIA THE TRUTH and inflatable shark dance attack from HAIRY TEDDY BEAR. This is all hosted by our feral drag creature and beautiful disaster host POLLYFILLA. Plus ICED GEM on the decks and a DJ mix by APHID after the show. Hold your cocktail glasses tight on your sofa as we are crashing onto your screens.
TELL ME MORE
POLLYFILLA
Pollyfilla is the feral queer creature host of Pollyanna cabaret. ‘Slightly terrifying, slightly post-apocalyptic but wholly entertaining’ (Fresh Fringe) ‘The sight of Pollyanna host Pollyfilla marauding on all fours around the bar, heels akimbo, was a reminder of the idea that drag can go wild.’ (NotTelevision.co.uk) ‘The demonically delicious Pollyfilla manifests to work their crowd into a lather and is spectacular …. There is no debasing them, for they are glorious in their torn lace, jockstrap, corset and roadkill wig. They will engage in any act and transcend shame.’ (ScotsGay)
NOVA SCOTIA THE TRUTHWinner of the Scottish Album of the Year 2020, Nova Scotia the Truth is a rap artist unafraid to challenge stereotypes and annihilate assumptions. Her repertoire boasts features on BBC Radio Scotland, Mixmag, Red Bull Music, The Skinny, Time Out London, The Basement x Nike BSMNT AIR MAX 90 campaign, Skiddle, BBC Radio Four amongst others.
https://www.facebook.com/novascotiathetruth
RHYS’S PIECESRhys’s Pieces is a one person cabaret troupe from east London. They are a dancer; rapper; lipsyncer; host ; genderbending drag act and burlesque artist who is capable of terrific fierceness or exquisite softness. From performing their first rap at Pollyanna years okay, over the last three years they have risen through the London scene, having won 2018’s Lipsync 1000 and being awarded 2019s Best Variety Act (QX Awards).
www.instagram.com/rhysspieces_
DESERT STORM
The resident queen at Pollyanna, Desert Storm has been tearing up our stage for the past six years. From her infamous lip-sync homages to the Shrek cinematic odyssey to her I, Tonya inspired ice-skating numbers she brings the lycra-wrapped camp throwbacks and thigh-high sizzling thrill that we are all missing in our lives.MISS ANNABEL SINGS
Queen of Queer Cabaret MAS is a UK based performance/video artist, puppeteer, activist and producer, celebrating the full spectrum of our rich Queer Culture. For Pollyanna she presents for you a work from her newest collective The Trashpit. A Love Song To The Lost is a live performance with video celebrating of all those ‘Othered’ people who claim their spaces; a peek into the world of the surreal, of Trash, of Lynch and of 80s Horror. A place where anything is possible that gets her through the darkness.www.missannabelsings.com
HAIRY TEDDY BEAR
Hairy Teddy Bear indulges us with a selection of dancing co-hosting interludes for Pollyanna: A real life show! From inflatable shark power walks to Filipino music poweredupside down stunts...APHID
Our resident DJ at Pollyanna was sadly unable to be there for our shoot, but we are spine tinglingly pleased to be able to share a DJ mix from Aphid after the show. Aphid is a small green insect from Edinburgh, UK. When not DJing, she likes eat plants. She is a member of Miss World collective and regularly performers at Sneaky Pete’s and Paradise Palms.ICED GEM
Iced Gem is an Edinburgh selector/DJ playing with collectives Miss World and Beatroots. She's been holding residencies in clubs and bars such as Sneaky Pete's, Doghouse and Paradise Palms. Iced Gem is on the decks for the show.CORONAVIRUS
The show was filmed on 1 Sept 2020. Coronavirus guidelines were followed to make this show possible. Off stage performers were socially distanced 2m, or following 1m+. Masks were used for the majority of offstage activity. Hand sanitiser was used regularly including when performers entered the venue.Photo credits
Miss Annabel Sings: Rod Penn. Pollyfilla and Desert Storm: Andrew Perry