Here Dan Wye chats with QX about their comedy career and what it’s like to perform as themselves, a queer comedian called Dan Wye, rather than their ghost whispering character Séayoncé.
What inspired you to start a career in comedy?
I’ve always been an attention-seeking class clown, and naturally, I’m a child of divorce, so it makes sense. But I was actually tricked into doing comedy by a friend who thought I would be good at it. So she secretly put me on the lineup to do stand up for a fundraiser she was organising and then told me the night before. It worked, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Has there been a particular moment in your career that stands out?
I’ve been lucky enough to tour the world and perform at incredible venues, but a highlight was performing a show at the legendary venue Joe’s Pub in New York.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about yourself through comedy?
Comedy has been a huge benefit to me as a queer person; when I first started out, I was fresh out of the closet from Coventry. It forced me to talk about my queer life to strangers and learn my voice and experience matter, and I could get a positive response for it via laughter. Especially creating the drag ghost whisperer character Séayoncé helped me to reconnect with the closeted gay child who secretly loved to dress up in their Nan’s dresses and play with makeup. I created the drag character and was able to do that again without shame and be paid to do it.
Who are your biggest comedic influences, and how have they shaped your style?
It may sound corny, but my biggest influence and inspiration are the people I am lucky enough to have around me. All my friends and family love to laugh and play and are open to pissing about. I’m always surrounded by laughter and people who use comedy as a language on and off stage, and I’m lucky enough to have those influences from the comedy, drag and comedy communities.
What’s the most memorable audience reaction you’ve ever received?
Once, when I was performing as Séayoncé at Soho theatre during the comedy séance, I asked an audience member if his grandma had died so I could contact her from the spirit world. He told me she had actually died a year ago that day, and they were all out celebrating her on the anniversary. So, of course, I brought her back from the dead and was possessed by her; luckily, it worked, and they enjoyed it.
How does performing for an LGBTQ audience differ from performing at a mainstream comedy club as an LGBTQ comedian?
It’s a lot easier performing for an LGBTQIA+ audience. You don’t have to explain as much or make them feel safe in your queer presence. Although I think it’s vital not to dilute your experience as a queer person in front of a straight audience, instead, I try and write good enough jokes they can laugh and connect to no matter their experience… truly, who doesn’t find a bit of bumming funny?
What’s it like to perform as yourself after years of playing character Séayoncé in comedy? Are all on-stage personas characters anyway?
It is very different, but I started out in stand-up before I created Séayoncé, so it’s nice going back with the tools I’ve learnt from the old witch. It is all in some way a persona, but I do try and focus on what about me as a person is likeable and can connect with a crowd; I try and pretend I’m just telling stories in a smoking area of a gay bar.
Where would you like your comedy to take you in the nextdecade?
I want to be stinking rich/evil billionaire vibes with a devoted throng of gorgeous, rich, hung lovers. I would love to bring some queer chaos to the mainstream and write/direct more and do more tv. This interview is me asking the universe to manifest this…
Dan Wye will be headlining at Comedy Bloomers on 24 November 2024, 7 pm (doors 6:30 pm), at Seven Dial Club, 40 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LH, United Kingdom.
