MISERABEL

Can you define your drag persona and where did your inspiration come from?

 

"I am Miserabel. A sad clown. The name comes from a particularly disguising boy in my high school class who would sit across the classroom from me and, if he decided I was looking particularly done with his harassment that day, would call me Miserabel, a super clever nickname joining my name (Isobel) and miserable. So, it’s sort of a big F-U to this dude who did make my life miserable for a while, and a way to own my sadness, and my resting bitch face. Miserabel won’t take your shit, Miserabel is a bondage space clown and Miserabel is nothing, Miserabel might stomp on your toes so get out the way, but she does it all from a place of love. Let’s all be sad with Miserabel!"

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Can you describe your first drag performance?

 

"Shallow. Exhilarating. Sexy. Got people feeling some type-a way. All down to my sister Maya, I owe her so much."

 

What would you say your persona brings to drag culture?

 

"Cheekiness."

 

What are the reasons you do drag?

 

"I often feel more uncomfortable sitting in jeans on a bus than I do in full makeup and outfit, screaming and writhing about. It’s the kind of confidence that I own, that is mine, and that no-one else can define for me. It feels good to be beyond the many expectations of myself, whatever those may be."

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What do you do outside of drag?

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"Currently I perform at clubs and festivals as a walkabout performer and dancer, create wonderful events and silly spectacles with my collective, Halli Galli, study theatre, design posters and costumes, am teaching myself circus, and holding on very tight because it’s all just getting to the good bit."

 

Why do you think drag is so important right now within this era? I.e. Artistic landscape, Political Attitudes, Current events

 

"Because, at its heart, it’s really a space for people to be true to themselves, which is exactly what people need. A drag space has always been, from the beginnings of recognisable 21st century drag with the beautiful trans women, gay men and other queens of colour who built the New York (and other) scenes with their lives, to a group of us fucking about in the function room of a local pub, a space where people come, shed the layers of everyday expectation, and put on their layers of costume, whatever that may be to the individual. Dark times are here, and these bubbles of light that drag spaces create for those in them are what’s keeping it alive on a street and community level. It is something we can have for ourselves."
 

What are your opinions on transgender and gender issues within drag culture? E.g female drag artists

 

"Anyone can do drag. Everyone should be included. Our roots are in transgender and gender issues and we cannot forget that and recede just into binaries!"

 

What are your future aspirations within drag?

 

"Have some fucking fun with some fucking amazing people!"

 

With the rise of popularity of drag, what efforts could be done to ensure drag stays true to its roots?

 

"Make sure we never forget or stop learning about our history. Teach the children, for they are the future, and we are nothing without the past."