The people who shaped me…Danny Ash

By Jason Reid

We all have those special people in our lives who have been there at just the right time to positively impact our journey through life, almost as though the universe has made those encounters happen; or those we’ve never even come into contact with who have instantly enriched our thinking and outlook. 

This week, award-winning boylesque/drag/circus artist and anarchy advocate Danny Ash talks to Jason Reid about the people who shaped him… 

Mouse

Mouse has been an erotic performer for twenty years. You’ll catch her fisting herself, smoking cigars out of her vagina, and funnelling wine into her bum and spraying it on the audience. She is ANARCHY. When I met her she told me to go further, to shove things up my arse – and now I do. I really believe that anarchy is going to change the world. 

My Mum  

My mum was in an abusive marriage for twenty years, and like many others she felt like she had to get married, have kids, and get a mortgage; but then suddenly you’re forty years-old and haven’t lived any of your dreams. I think because of my upbringing I now make work that really challenges and tries to break away from societal norms and is all about sexual liberation. 

Lloyd Newson 

Lloyd leads DV8 Physical Theatre, and they make queer and socio-political work. I first saw them at the age of seventeen and it was then that I realised I wanted to do something physical with my life. I tried to do medicine and become a doctor – but when I was twenty-two I changed my mind and decided to run away with the circus. 

Marisa Carnesky 

An award-winning show-woman who’s been around since the ‘80s. Marisa really is proper old school cabaret. I’d describe her work as sideshow and anarchy. I did a ten week course with her at the Roundhouse in 2011, back when I was twenty-four, and I created my first act in which I was loner called Larry, masturbating with champagne bottles – and I haven’t looked back since. 

Vladimir Putin 

Danny as Putin

When Putin passed his anti-gay law in 2013, I was really disturbed and highly disgusted that this could be going on in our time. It led me to making one of my most talked-about acts: I dress up as Putin, ride a hobby horse topless and shove a gun up my arse. Putin really represents very heteronormative masculinity, and I try to break that down in all of my acts. 

Conchita Wurst

When she won Eurovision in 2014 I got goosebumps. What a moment and what a massive ‘fuck you’ to Russia. It was so powerful for our community, that a bearded drag queen, a gender bender, won the contest. This inspired me to make more political and powerful moments. 

Danny Ash will be performing at Trashy Queen at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY on Friday 10th May.

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