Jason Reid chats to the acclaimed cabaret sensation
Just like LeAnn Rimes said to a legion of pop-obsessed queers in the early noughties: ya can’t fight the moonlight! So it was only a matter of time before we caught up with debonair drag king Sigi Moonlight.
They’re on a mission to bring hope to the inhabitants of this deranged spinning sphere in a time of ubiquitous disharmony, and Jason Reid was eager to find out more…
Who is Sigi Moonlight?
Sigi’s character is not fixed, but rather a vessel for personas: switching from dangerous criminal to Kung Fu Master and Korean dictator to Oscar statuette. They’re all hapless antiheroes telling a story inspired by a dangerous mix of pop culture and politics. Sigi’s ultimate mission on Earth is to present humanity a message of hope and defiance in (most likely) the last five years of its existence. It was in the year that a profoundly orange-faced, pussy-grabbing sociopath was elected leader of the free world that Sigi Moonlight came to Earth.
Describe your performance style in three words.
Rebellious, unpredictable, satire.
What’s your aesthetic?
Most of my acts appear to fall into the brooding, suave villain trope; whilst also revealing a fragile, feminine inner core.
How and why did you get into drag?
I’ve only recently realised I’ve been doing drag way longer than I’ve been performing as Sigi. I loved performing but was never comfortable in typical female roles and I always played male characters in school productions. Then I discovered cabaret and drag kings, and thought, why haven’t I done this before? I entered the Man Up! contest at The Glory a month later and landed third after my second live performance as Sigi.
What makes you happy?
My partner, my friends, creating, performing and making people laugh and seeing their faces light up. And recently; DIY.
The world would be a better place without?
Hiccups.
Three performers who inspire you?
Marnie Scarlet, LoUis CYfer, Oedipussi Rex.
Proudest professional achievement to date?
Not drag related, but in my muggle job working for PitStop Productions, which produces video game voiceover, I spearheaded the full voiceover production of a really massive game – over a million words in about three months.
Biggest social media bugbear?
Instagram profiles showing only picture-perfect selfies with no one else included and tens of thousands of followers only means two things: fake followers and utter vanity. This is why we can’t have nice things!
What’s the drag dream?
To have a fully choreographed massive scale sell-out cabaret show, with an orchestra and backing dancers galore.
Fave new performers right now?
I love Dragprov Revue with Christian Adore and Eaton Messe – their shows are fabulous and refreshing. I always have time for their everyday-problems-rant-rap.
What are you listening to?
I’ve been on a Lana Del Ray and Brooke Candy binge for the last week.
What is drag in 2019 to you?
A much needed platform of self-expression, indulgence and rebellion at a time of deep uncertainty.
Who would you invite to a dream drag dinner party?
Stormé DeLarverie, Diane Torr, Fancy Chance, Divine, Victoria Sin, RuPaul (just for shits and giggles).
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I do a really great impression of Pingu.
Sigi Moonlight will be performing at The Hoxton Cabaret, Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX on Wednesday 29 May.
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