Ah, don’t we just love the Irish … and with good reason.
You don’t have to look too far to appreciate their sense of humour.
That is reinforced when erudite, evocative and entertaining yarn spinner Panti Bliss takes to the stage in a blonde wig and glittering dress and heels.
The 56-year-old drag queen and gay rights activist from County Mayo, born Rory O’Neill, is understandably exceedingly popular in the Emerald Isle.
In fact, there are regular calls for her to become president.
Truth is, Panti Bliss is a mighty talented performer, who calls herself a gender discombobulist and accidental activist.
She is very chatty and personable.
Photos by Ruth Medjber
She makes an immediate impression by stepping off the stage and mixing with the audience, greeting several individually.
Half the Irish population of the city seemed to be in attendance on opening night.
By the time the show was over, the other half may well have been interested in taking out dual citizenship.
After searching for the youngest and oldest audience members (17 and 84 that night), Panti talks about how the drag scene has changed since she fell into it.
Then the anecdotes begin pouring out, stories about coming out, gay clubs in Ireland and Tokyo, an unexpected trip to Vienna with a substitute boyfriend, and on it goes.
Cue sound effects.
Panti readily acknowledges that she loves shenanigans, but she also has a more serious role to play.
And that has everything to do with standing up to inequality and discrimination.
She is proud of the fact that Ireland was the first country to legalise gay marriage by popular vote.
But then there are still umpteen battles to be fought when it comes to narrow minded bigots.
Panti leaves us in no doubt that she is up for the challenge. In fact, there is a brazen tale to be told involving her own County Mayo.
Mixing the audacious and salacious with social consciousness makes perfect sense, especially when you are as gifted at doing so as Panti Bliss clearly is.
Seventy minutes without interval, Panti Bliss: If These Wigs Could Talk is playing at Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne, until 9th February, 2025.
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