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a reyt queer do

Reyt Queer Do Open Call for LGBTQ+ performers

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Black drag king Lionel Bitchie sings live onstage

We’re offering open mic slots for fresh queer acts at A Reyt Queer Do 8 on Saturday 14 December.

This queer cabaret event is themed around ‘Camp as Christmas’  and is at Sidney and Matilda in Sheffield city centre.

A Reyt Queer Do will be hosted by drag and cabaret artist Rhys Pieces and is about platforming emerging Northern LGBTQ+ performance talent. Whether you’re a new act, or you have new work you want to test out in front of a friendly live audience, we’d love to hear from you.

Drag, comedy, clowning, queerlesque, song, anything goes, as long as it works in front of a live audience. In return for you performing one 3 – 8 minute act we’ll provide;

– Up to £70 to reimburse any expenses
– Food and drink at the venue
– Photos of your act shot by a professional photographer

We just need you to be available from 4.30pm on the day of the event.

To help you get a sense of what to expect, this blog about our most recent edition of A Reyt Queer Do is a useful read. 

To apply, please complete the short Google Form and share a link to an extract of your act or performance. 

It doesn’t matter if the film of you performing is not in front of an audience, we just need to get a sense of your performance style so we can programme a mix of acts. 

Deadline to apply: 9am Monday 25 November. Priority for slots will go to those based in South Yorkshire. 

Please note – This event will be BSL interpreted, so if your application is successful we will expect you to provide any lyrics / script in advance of the event for our BSL interpreter to learn. More information on the access provisions in the venue can be found here.

We expect to have more people apply to perform than we have time and budget to give a platform, so we won’t be able to offer everyone a slot, but we are always keen to hear from fresh talent for upcoming events. We are unable to give feedback to unsuccessful submissions, but we may keep your details on file for future bookings.

We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions that aren’t answered below please drop us a line to hello@androandeve.com

FAQ’s 

I am not based in the North of England, can I apply?

We will not consider applications from acts based in locations other than Yorkshire or the North of England. (We consider Northern talent to be inclusive of the East and West Midlands).

Do you only platform drag king acts?

No! A Reyt Queer Do is for all kinds of live performance acts to share their work. The Kingdom Come is our platform solely for drag kings and we tend to focus on platforming more established acts there. 

I can’t perform on the 14 December but want to apply, should I?

Thanks for your interest, please hold off for now! We are a part time team, so we’d appreciate you helping us manage capacity by applying for a future opportunity. Please subscribe to our newsletter to be first to hear about the open mic slots for future events. 

I don’t have a video of my performance. Can I apply?

We cannot accept applications without a video. This is to ensure we understand what your performance style is and whether it will work with the venue restrictions, and around our other programmed acts. If you don’t have a video, feel free to record yourself performing to camera. Video quality does not matter, we just want to see your act! 

I am a wheelchair user, what is stage access like?

Unfortunately, Sidney and Matilda does not have step free access to their stage so we cannot accommodate a wheelchair onstage. We are very limited with accessible live venue options in Sheffield, and are looking into alternative performance venue options for future events. 

Back to the 90’s with A Reyt Queer Do!

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Drag king Lionel Bitchie raises one eyebrow as he poses for the camera

We started Autumn in full celebration mode with the return of A Reyt Queer Do, with a sold out ‘Back to the 90’s’ edition at Sheffield gig and nightlife venue, Sidney and Matilda.

This queer cabaret and party is all about platforming fresh queer, Northern artists, sharing whatever performance style they like in front of our supportive and welcoming community. 

Bipolar Abdul and BSL interpreter Becky Mayo onstage
Bipolar Abdul. A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox

On 22nd September we were joined by drag king Lionel Bitchie, comedian Stevie Yardy, singer-songwriter Jay Womack, drag king Mr Brake Down, and burlesque artist Spyhnxie, with the early evening event hosted by drag artist Bipolar Abdul. It was an eclectic and fun line up that didn’t disappoint, with our audience enjoying these talented acts. They took us from plenty of laughs to more poignant moments. Our BSL interpreter, Becky Mayo was a superb asset to the show!

Burlesque artist Sphynxie holds an umbrella high onstage while she performs
Sphynxie. A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox

Alongside the queer performance we made space for a craft table in the courtyard of Sidney and Matilda and many enjoyed the chance to draw, clay model and share their thoughts. 

Our usual vegan cake (from Little Town Pantry) was a tasty Sunday afternoon treat and the raffle helped us raise vital funds for our Pay it Forward Ticket fund. 10 members of Lesbian Asylum Support Sheffield were able to attend this event thanks to past support of this scheme.

Three people craft with modelling clay at a table in a brightly painted courtyard
Crafting at A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this special event, creating such a supportive atmosphere for our artists to share their work. Also huge thanks to the team at Sidney and Matilda and our team and volunteers for producing an event so many enjoyed. As one audience member said; 

‘That was fun, inclusive, welcoming and joyful’

Audience member, A Reyt Queer Do 7

We never rest on our laurels at Andro and Eve, and are aware that stage height and seating options need to be adjusted for future editions of this event. We’re working on this and say thank you to those who highlighted this issue. As a small project-based arts organisation, operating in a city with limited venue options, finding accessible venues has always been a challenge, but we’re always trying to improve the ways our community experience our events and workshops.

Jay Womack sings while playing keyboard onstage
Jay Womack. A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox

If you want to support our work, a one off or ongoing donation is so helpful – helping us secure grant funding to ensure our events are accessible as possible. You can donate via our website at the top of this page or Kofi. 

Our next A Reyt Queer Do is on 14 December. 60% of tickets have already sold, so don’t hang about if you’d like to join us for this Camp as Christmas edition hosted by cabaret star Rhys Pieces! 

And if you can’t wait until then for a dose of queer culture, why not come along to our Feeling Fabulous Queer Dance workshops with Ghetto Fabulous? We’ll get you moving and boost your mood this winter! 

Four people hold their crafted sculptures seated at a table and smile
Crafting at A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox
Drag king Mr Brake Down performs gestures with his hands onstage with Becky Mayo signing
Mr Brake Down. A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox
Three white people smile and pose wearing gothic outfits
A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox
Drag artist Bipolar Abdul speaks to a group of audience members onstage
A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox
Crowd of people in a bar facing a stage
A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox
Comedian Stevie Yardy performs her comedy onstage
Stevie Yardy. A Reyt Queer Do (2024). Credit – Emma Bentley Fox

New Acts Wanted!

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Could you be the next Wesley Dykes? Got a new act you want to debut? Or test out a scratch performance in front of a friendly and supportive audience?

Open mic slots available

We’re on the look out for new queer performance to fill our open mic slots at our events at Cast in Doncaster on 13 November and Theatre Deli Sheffield on 30 November. We’re committed to developing talent in Yorkshire and hope by offering slots across two nights we’ll be able to programme as much Northern talent as possible.

For A Reyt Queer Do 4: Reyt Northern Edition (13 November) and A Reyt Queer Do: Shine Like a Diamond Edition (30 November) we’re on the lookout for any type / style of queer performance as long as its between 3 – 10 mins long. As well as getting to share your act with our wonderful community you’ll also get £50 to cover any expenses and some photos of your act.

To apply to perform please send the following  to hello@androandeve.com

  • Name of your act
  • Short description of the act / style of performance
  • Where you are based
  • Whether you can perform at either night, or only Sheffield OR Doncaster. 
  • A short bio of your performance experience (don’t worry if you have none, but do tell us why you want to take advantage of this opportunity)
  • A 3 – minute video of you performing. This could be a link to a video online, or send us a file to download. 

We want to support Northern talent and highlight marginalised voices, so if this applies to you, please apply! Deadline for applications midday on 23/10/19. If you have any questions please also drop us a line. All applicants whether successful or not will be informed by 01/11/19.

If you’re planning on attending our DRAG KING WORKSHOP WEEKEND on 9 – 10 November and want to use either of these events as a way to debut the act you plan to create, we also encourage you to apply for a slot!

A Night of Electric Dreams…

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On the 16th February 2019 we came to parrrrty at Theatre Deli Sheffield with A Reyt Queer Do: Electric Dreams Edition. This queer party was hosted by Louis Cyfer with queer performance from new acts including drag kings Jamie Pizazz and King Kitt and also featured drag star on the rise, Christian Adore. Hearing the whole audience join in with Louis Cyfer’s rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody was blummin brilliant.

The crowd did not disappoint with outfits to keep your eyes popping for days, some full 80’s glam / punk / new romantic / pop realness, others dragged it up to the nines. After the queer performance (and plenty cake, courtesy of Kelham Island Kitchen), Chardine Taylor Stone ramped up the sound and the sparkly dance floor was full.

Louis Cyfer

Huge thanks to all the performers for bringing such talent and energy, to Theatre Deli for their support of our work and being lovely hosts and to Chardine Taylor Stone for the tunes. We’re eternally appreciative of our fantastic volunteers, without who, our night’s would not be the same, and of course those who came and shared in the queer joy, creating such a fab night for everyone. Until next time!

Strong party lewks

Drag King Open Mic Slots available!

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We’re excited to announce that we have drag king open mic slots available!!

We’re planning our next A REYT QUEER DO, and there are a few drag king open mic slots available. These are for brand new drag kings or newbie kings who want more performance experience. It is not a paid opportunity though we can help out with some travel expenses and we always provide food and drink for our performers. You’ll also get a set of photos of your performance taken by our professional photographer and free entry and probably* free cake at our big queer party. Priority for slots will go to Kings based outside of London but all applications welcome! To apply, you need to be available on Saturday 12 May and be able to perform one 3 – 5 minute drag act. Head to our website and fill in our contact form with the title ‘drag king open mic’. Please give us:

  • Your drag king name
  • Where you are based
  • Any links to your drag king’s social media (this is not essential, just helpful).
  • A rough idea of what your act involves. Singing? Clowing? Dancing? Stand up?

Deadline to apply is 6pm on Monday 2 April! We look forward to hearing from you!

For more information on how we programme artists and content for our events, please head to the ‘How we Programme’ section of our website.

Andro and Eve x

*home baked cakes are an essential part of Andro and Eve events…

Drag King Romeo De La Cruz. Ndrika
Romeo De La Cruz at The Kingdom Come #2

Drag Kings: Lets break this down

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We write this post because, yet again, the Drag Kings we work with have been done a disservice by the media. Sadly, this time it is Sheffield independent publisher Now Then that has pretty much failed to represent what a Drag King is while promoting our next event A Reyt Queer Do. While we’re very happy that the work we’re doing gets exposure, we cannot have the drag kings we work with be described as ‘women in men’s garb’. At best the phrase is reductive, at worst it is insulting.

If you’re sat thinking, ‘hey, thats what a drag king is right?’ then please read on.. Because that description does such a disservice to a scene that has traditionally embraced a wide range of gender identities, and often provides an outlet for creative expression for queer people who may not feel welcome in mainstream ‘gay’ venues. Yes, 19th and early 20th century music hall stars like Vesta Tilley or Hetty King were women impersonating men, but the UK Drag Scene now, is very different and so much more exciting. As London scene star Benjamin Butch puts it,

“A King show will overturn any expectations you may have, we are performing gender to introduce a position from which perspectives can be viewed differently”. 1

To break it down. You may perceive a person as ‘female’, but that doesn’t mean that is their gender identity. Ask before using a pronoun that misgenders a person. Many Drag Kings are trans, meaning their gender identity does not align with the one they were assigned with at birth. Generally a Drag King will perform as a ‘he/him’ on stage, but that does not mean they become ‘she’ offstage. This is similar to the Drag Queen scene where..

‘To many queens past and present, the distinction between gender performance and gender non-conformance is blurry, if it exists at all’. Alex Varman. 2

It is because of gender pioneers like Leslie Feinberg, Marsha P Johnson, Miss Major  and others, and the work of nights like Bar Wotever’s Non Binary Cabaret, and Boi Box’s weekly drag king open mic, that we have a UK Drag scene that plays with and critiques gender and celebrates trans identities. Our aim is to make a space for this wonderful scene to flourish in Yorkshire. To widen access and be part of the network of regular drag nights like Kingdom in Brighton that help spread the appeal of Drag Kings outside the UK’s capital city.

And while we’re at it. The term bio queen is gross and misogynistic. As performer Rodent Decay said ‘If you’re policing the genders of the performers you’re completely missing the point of drag’ 3. This piece also gives a broader discussion of the importance of women to the evolution of the drag scene.

For further reading we recommend this piece published earlier this year in ID magazine. Get to know and love some of the most interesting Drag Kings on the UK Scene right now! Sure to be appearing at a Sheffield venue near you sometime soon..

1.. From ID Magazine piece by Caryn Franklin.
2… From The Establishment piece by Alex Verman.
3. Taken from an article ‘No Girls Allowed on HSKIND by China Deathcrash

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