Taylor Mac is everything and nothing you expect from a drag performer. He has all the flamboyant costumes, the makeup and the wigs, what sets this act apart however is the person below this vibrant camouflage.
Where you would normally find dry sarcasm and lip-syncing in a ‘traditional’ drag act, Taylor Mac sings songs full of insight on life and the complexities of being human, songs that the audience cannot help but relate to. Mac’s performance style takes you by surprise, and you are never sure what to expect from his next piece as he interchanges between the ironic tragedy of political injustice to his own heartfelt introspection.
He brings humour to the darkest of subjects through revealing their inner ironies and viewing them in the surreal irreverent light they deserve. The honesty and vulnerability Mac shows not only allows you to connect with him as a person but also gives his material that extra resonance, allowing him to influence the way we perceive the world around us, and ourselves. With only his ukulele for musical support, Taylor Mac’s songs seem that much more authentic and raw.
Surrounded by the dank walls of the Smirnoff Baby Belly, Taylor Mac shimmers like a magnificent jewel in the darkness, exuding not just light but a hope that everything might ultimately be alright.
Taylor Mac’s Edinburgh Debut will change your impression of drag performance forever.
4/5
Matthew Straw
