Trevor Ashley – The Lyin’ Queen

What would transpire if the films The Lion King, Jurassic Park, and King Kong were all combined and pushed into one satirical show? A riotous adults-only romp starring iconic Sydney drag artist Trevor Ashley, which parodies everything from Australian politics to shows like I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

“I play Gay Wray from Home And Away who lives in L.A. She is loosely based on a particular Australian soapy star who didn’t particularly like that everybody kept bringing up the fact that she used to star on Home And Away!’ laughed Ashley. She is sent to an island with some hilarious characters and what they find is disastrous. “It’s very funny and it ties in everything that’s ever been near an island or a jungle in any type of pop culture.”

Ashley explained that this is his biggest show yet, with puppetry and a three and a half meter tall T-Rex which attacks the zany characters on stage. There’s also aerial stunts and some great songs. Naturally, glamour is the heart of the show and Ashley wouldn’t have it any other way. “My costume slowly but surely gets ripped apart – it starts off as a ball gown and it ends up as a mini skirt!!”

We know that Gay Wray is a lyin’ queen but is she also a lyin’ bitch? “She is really, she’s not the greatest character in the world but I specialise in playing heroines you love to hate! That’s my favourite thing in the world, to play somebody who isn’t really very nice, but I seem to make them okay.”

Nothing sacred has been left untouched in the show. “I’ve done my best to make sure that we offend everyone equally! There’s a lot of references and I always keep updating it. If there’s a major news story it goes straight in.”

Ashley says this isn’t just a gay show but it’s for the general public. “Leave the kids at home but bring grandma along! This will be a night full of romance, trash culture at its cheapest and a cast completely devoid of CGI!! (MMo)

Nov 26–Dec 01. Playhouse Theatre, Opera House. $69.90-$94.90+b.f.. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Dec 10–Dec 21. Darlinghurst Theatre Co, $79-$85+b.f. Booking & Info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com