DOUBLE THE BIG D
IF YOU’VE A love for boybands, good times, humour, and drag – or are intrigued by the mix – then strap in chaps. Big D is back!
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
There’s nothing like the heartbreak of your fave band members going their separate ways. Due to travel – not any personality clashes or diva attitudes – the two members that make up Darwin’s favourite boy band, Boyz2Boyz, have disbanded. For now.
But fear not, as Big D returns to Darwin Fringe Festival without his best mate Ova Ezzay with not one, but two different shows.
Created and performed by local entertainer Danielle Andrews, Big D stands for big dreams (get your mind out of the gutter, cheeky reader!) and was inspired by her long-standing adoration of boybands.
“It just comes from my deep, deep, deep love of boybands. I grew up in boyband central, I have a weirdly encyclopaedic knowledge of boybands – an obsession with them – and I’ve always wanted to do drag,” she says.
“I never really figured out how to approach it. So, when Evie [Ova Ezzay] was up here, we worked together and did heaps of fun stuff together, and I was like, yeah, she’ll be dumb enough to do this with me, basically. But also, I have a background in dance that I don’t use a lot in other things, so it was a really fun way to get back into dancing and choreography, things like that.”
Usually a hit double-act, Big D’s going it alone in his show Big D: Going Solo. Andrews says it’s been a weird time rehearsing without her bandmate.
“It’s been sad. It’s definitely harder to try and choreograph by yourself, it’s way less fun, and hard to find the motivation,” she laughs.
“But a big part of the show is the idea of finding your true passion, and Ova Ezzay’s true passion turned out to be travel. So, he’s off travelling, and now Big D’s gotta find his true passion.”
There are two chances to catch this show at Brown’s Mart Studio, but if you want and/or need more Big D in your life, Boyband Brunch at The Last Supper is a must. Adult ticket holders enjoy a mimosa on arrival, but peeps of all ages are invited to feast on a bottomless brunch. Andrews reckons it’s gonna be a hoot.
“This is super dooper interactive … each table becomes their own boyband, and then each boyband has to compete to be the ultimate boyband. It’s really fun. And it’s family-friendly – I want it to be accessible to everyone.”
However you choose to experience the Big D this month, Andrews hopes you all walk away with a smile on your chops.
“If you’re just up for some good, clean, stupid fun, that’s what we’re bringin’. Pure nostalgia, pure silliness, fun. You can even touch the abs after, if you want.”
Well. We’re sold.
Big D: Going Solo
WHEN TUE 15 & WED 16 JUL 8PM
AT BROWN’S MART STUDIO
COST $15-$20
Boyband Brunch
WHEN SUN 20 JUL 11.30AM-1.30PM
AT THE LAST SUPPERCOST
COST $60
INFO darwinfringe.org.au
Image: Corinna Rostan
