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Reuben Kaye has been called many things throughout his illustrious (and hilarious) career; we like to think of him as the king of camp comedy! We’ve followed his career and found that he never fails to entertain and/or shock.
The cyclonic cabaret provocateur is hitting the road with a nation-wide tour. Audiences will need to strap in! Ahead of his live shows, Reuben Kaye spoke with us and we asked him the tough questions that we’re all dying to know the answers to. He speaks to us about transgressive performance, holding on to anger and what he enjoys between the sheets.
1. From the bullied, girly-boy to the confident, fearless performer we see on stage today, how did the Reuben Kaye character evolve?
Reuben Kaye: It’s changed hugely in terms of aesthetic. I shudder to look back on my first attempt at makeup! I started as a host, so the majority of my set was crowd work, which has given me speed and the freedom to improvise, but there’s so much writing that goes into the work now. I’m very proud of it.
The thing that’s stayed with me is that same little queer child who didn’t listen when teachers told me to calm down, and when other kids told me to shut up and stop being weird. I embraced that part of me very early on and I’ve never let it go and I hope I never do. That little queer loudmouth has seen me through some of the toughest times.
2. Do you prefer a mostly straight audience or a mostly queer audience?
They’re completely different. With a straight audience I can be more aggressive. It’s about pushing back on a system they’re part of and they’re in on the joke, so they welcome it. It’s about resistance and sometimes explaining queer culture.
But for a queer audience, it’s about celebration. Uniting us with our collective anger and pushing that out. It’s more affectionate and we all speak a common language and have a shared culture, so jokes that would fly over straight audience’s heads land harder. It’s family.
3. What do you say to those US politicians who have decided to demonise trans kids and their families?
Fuck you. LGBTQIA+ existence predates religion. We were here before you and your god and we will outlast you.
4. You have the height and physique of a masculine man, but the face of a glamorous model or actress – does this confuse people who are not used to queer culture?
Yes. Straight people don’t know what to do with me. Sitting between people’s reference points is what confuses people. I get a lot straight-identifying men asking me to wear the makeup in bed, which is… interesting. We call them Clown-Fuckers. And I love being active in the community!
5. I’m shit scared of it, so I will never…
Bottom for Putin. He looks like a lazy top who doesn’t listen to safe words.
6. Do you have time for romance?
Between 2-4pm every second Wednesday at Wet On Wellington [Melbourne sauna]. Call my secretary and she’ll book you in. (I am my own secretary.)
7. What kind of men are you attracted to?
Any man who’s got big arms from waving red flags
8. The best accessory I ever bought was…
A twink with an asshole so flexible he could also double as carry-on luggage
9. What’s making you glad?
The next generation who see past gender and sexuality, who benefit from all the blood, sweat and tears that came before them, who live without the psychosexual trauma that we and those before me endured. That makes me happy and hopeful.
10. Sell your latest show… Why should we buy a ticket?!
I’m going on tour baby! I’ll be coming to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, London, Edinburgh and more so go to my website www.reubenkaye.com and follow me on all my socials for updates! We’re releasing more tickets after the first lot sold so well!
REUBEN KAYE’S UPCOMING LIVE DATES
Live And Intimidating plays Bondi Pavilion in February, The Adelaide Fringe Festival in March, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April, The Perth Comedy Festival and Brisbane Comedy Festival in May.
The Kaye Hole plays Adelaide Fringe Festival in March.
The Butch Is Back plays The Sydney Comedy Festival in April.
Opera Up Late plats The Sydney Opera House in February as part of WorldPride.
For complete tour dates and bookings visit here.
