I had heard a lot about David Hoyle but never actually seen his shows, so I attended his ‘Guiding Light’, the first of his weekly run at the RVT, with an open mind.
Mr Hoyle appeared on the stage dressed suitably fabulously, in mismatching tights and leopard-skin pashmina, and an arresting array of drag make-up.
With charismatic stage presence he owned the boards in his high heels, and his deadpan Northern accent perfectly supported his acerbic comic timing.
Whilst I have watched some drag queens/performance artists drift off into vague inner soliloquy when given a whole stage to themselves and an audience in front of which to pontificate, David Hoyle kept his set sharply humorous, intelligent and to the point.
Whilst you might not agree with everything he said, his ribald antagonism against the materialistic apathy of the gay scene was like a breath of fresh air in a smoke-filled building. ‘If you go outside during the break and you see someone,’ he announced. ‘Push them in front of a bus. We don’t need people who don’t want change.’
Each week during his run Hoyle is inviting a guest to join him on the stage at the RVT and showcase their own act.
Last week’s turn was that of Ursula Martinez, a female comedian with a strong political vent. Her humour, her thoughts and her actions – she stripped naked and ran nude into the roads of Vauxhall (no joke) – all caught the attention of the audience and firmly kept it. She seemed aggressive, but your heart had warmed to her by the end of her set.
And the very same can be said of David Hoyle himself: he has his statements and beliefs that he is never going to stand aside for, but ultimately he wants you to live.
So, no, perhaps I don’t necessarily think every boy that joins the army is weak and effeminate, but yes, David, I do think it takes real balls to dress like you do. And the best of respect, for a great show.
• RVT, 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY
• Every Thursday until 18th July, 8.30pm. £10.
• www.rvt.org.uk
