Oh Danny Boy!

The newly crowned winner of this year’s Drag Idol and the most talked about act to hit the scene in some time, Danny Beard, is a fascinating character. The competition itself has seen somewhat of a queer revolution of late with both LoUis Cyfer and now Danny taking the title. Giving his first full interview post Drag Idol, the man behind Danny spoke to Jason Reid this week…

 


Firstly congratulations, your performance at the final was electric. So tell me, how and when did Danny Beard come to be?

Thank you very much, Jason. I started about 18 months ago, DJing out of drag in Manchester whilst in university. And slowly the drag took over, then I was DJing all my gigs in drag. Who is Danny?

Danny is me, essentially, an extension of who I am, and I’m most comfortable when on stage, so Danny is my excuse to get on stage.

How would you describe your performance style in a snappy sentence? Imagine you’re a trashy journalist…

Cheeky, loveable, fresh, modern, slightly rough around the edges, but classy.

Your style is also very technically sound. Do you come from a performance background? 

I do; I studied Performance, Contemporary Theatre Practice, and I got a first class honours. A large part of my degree was about the difference between an “actor” and a “performer”.

And which would you say you are?

There’s a fine line between the two, but I can say with confidence that I’m a performer.

Let’s talk about your look as it intrigues me so much. HOW did you come up with it? 

In university I studied live art and became a little obsessed with Leigh Bowery so that’s definitely where the white face came from. I actually experimented with a whole glittered face but eventually it was the beard that stuck. The body developed over time too; I love a woman’s silhouette so that’s really what I am trying to create with the hips, boobs and really high shoes.

Ah yes, I can the Leigh Bowery influences there now. Who else influences you artistically?

Aside from the aesthetic, my performance influences are people like Lily Savage who was quick, funny, and a character that you could just warm to. Also current queens on the scene like La Voix with her amazing voice, Myra with her gags, and Sandra just because I really like her.

Everyone loves Sandra, and she does her very best to love them all back. Personally. In the dark… Anyway back to you. Would you say Danny is genderless? The look is very fluid, with some male aesthetics – most notably a beard – which many would say is the archetypal mark of masculinity, but then there’s the striking female side.

I would say Danny Beard is genderless yes. I’m just really whatever you think I am. If you think I’m a man, I’m a man, likewise if you think I’m a woman then I’m a woman.

Which pronoun do you prefer?

Personally I prefer ‘she’ but I am from Liverpool and queens there call everyone she [laughs].

Is challenging gender stereotypes and gender fuckery something you want to get across to your audiences? 

I think its a part of who I am so yes. I don’t like to get too political but I think my work can be inadvertently political if that makes sense. Just being the way I am and looking the way I do is enough for me. If that particular audience member get’s it, understands it and goes with it then great, but if they think its just a crazy look, thats great too.

Now, you’re from Liverpool, but live in Manchester, and you represented one of London’s most prominent cabaret bars in the competition. Safe to say you’ve gone nationwide. How do you feel about it all, and your upcoming tour?

I couldn’t be happier, the support from people along the way has been truly overwhelming, in fact I’m sure there is some dodgy pictures from the final of me crying my eyes out. I feel excited and nervous for the tour, and I can’t wait to get to perform all over the country.

Finally, who is YOUR Drag Idol? 

LILY SAVAGE!

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