Written and performed by Celeste Cahn (Tana EdFringe, drag performer Gyno Might) this show explores how growing up in the shadow of a particular Disney Princess can be confusing, confining and, sometimes, consuming.
A Lady Does Not Scratch Her Crotch deals with gender, sexuality, femininity, masculinity, and growing up. This show has been performed around the world in New York City, Boston, New Orleans, Edinburgh and now at Camden Fringe.
This is not a tale of happily ever after, but if you want to go on a comical journey through the perils of growing up: encountering porn magazines, thwarted masturbation, surprise periods, three-blonde women, make-up, and, of course, a potentially toxic relationship with a very strong man, then this could be the show for you.
“Cahn’s sincerity and sharp humour are truly winning – I couldn’t stop laughing through the entire show…’ But no matter what your aspirations and early sexual fantasies, there is something for everybody in A Lady Does Not Scratch Her Crotch, even if you are a gentleman. […] Those silly, long-forgotten paper games help evoke those times when “to be ugly” sounded like the worst curse and “dying a virgin” seemed the least desirable future”
Asya Danilova, Theatre is Easy
It brings in elements of puppetry, drag, and performance art to engage the audience: playing primary school games, cursing and maybe even kissing audience members to explore the complexities of growing into a woman when that word is a lot more complicated than society makes it out to be. In a society that values physical beauty above all else in women, what does it mean to not feel beautiful?
“It was hilarious and political and absurd and joyful – so glad I came. If Lea DeLaria and Lisa Kron had a baby, it might be Celeste Cahn”
Barbara Pitt McAdams, Tectonic Theatre Company
A queer journey is undertaken in which our hero must encounter bi-panic, mediocre straight dudes and high-femmes they don’t know if they wanna be or f@*k, all while dealing with the insecurities of not fitting neatly into any one of the boxes that have been set before them. Not knowing what they are yet, but discovering at least what they are not.
“The subject matter in Celeste’s show is very personal and very daring. She manages to both challenge the audience and put them at ease with her offbeat humour and very honest and vulnerable performance.”.
Hilary Chaplain, A Life in Her Day performer/creator
Go and see it if you want a laugh, you want a kiss, you love a primary school game, you love Beauty and the Beast, you struggled with insecurities, or you had a crush on a cartoon character who maybe was also an animal.
A Lady Dos Not Scratch Her Crotch runs from 14 – 18 August at Hen & Chickens Theatre, 109 St Paul’s Road, London N1 2NA, United Kingdom.
See more queer shows at Camden Fringe
Instagram: @ladydoesnotscratch
Twitter: @doesnotscratch
