Dragging Your Heels, Camden People’s Theatre
We’re coming to the last few days of our Camden Fringe 2025 interviews, with the last of them going out on Thursday to complete our month long series to give you a taste of what this festival has to offer. But as the interviews come to an end, the festival is just beginning with the first shows happening today! You can find all the interviews here and you can book tickets for all the shows here.
Terry Geo‘s Dragging Your Heels sees a builder transform into a drag queen, or at least that’s the plan, but you’ll need to see the show to see if they succeed! But before you head along to see the show, you can always find out a little more about the show in our interview with Terry.
Dragging Your Heels will play at Camden People’s Theatre from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 August, tickets here.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Can a builder become a drag queen? Ben is recently divorced and back in his hometown feeling life is closing in on him. He’s always wanted to be a stand-up comedian but has crippling stage fright, can his new best friend Callum and drag queen Tammy Scowls get him to exchange the hi-viz for a dress?
This funny and uplifting queer play features songs, sequins and sparkle!
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
We performed for one night only in Wimbledon in June but our first full run will be at the Camden Fringe.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
The world is such a mess at the moment with hate and negativity everywhere we look. I wanted to write a piece of theatre that would make people laugh but also give them hope for the future. We all have dreams we wish to fulfil and we should never stop reaching for what we want out of life. No matter how old we are, we should never give up – but we get lost in the mundane day-to-day and years go by in the blink of an eye. That’s how the show’s title Dragging Your Heels was born. It’s not just a musical comedy about a builder becoming a drag queen, it’s also a reminder to all of us to never stop chasing our dreams.
How long have you been working on the play?
The idea had been building in my head for a while but it wasn’t until last year that all the pieces fell into place.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
The story and characters are the same but of course things have changed throughout the writing and reading of the play. The opening is now very different from the first draft and my husband and the director pointed out some areas that needed a bit more love, but the story-arc is the same.
What was it that drew you to this show and role?
I am the writer, producer and one of the three actors in the play, so I’m wearing many different hats in this production. I’m playing the part of Ben who, apart from being around the same age, is not like me at all. Or at least so I thought, until I sang his solo song. That’s the funny thing about being a writer. I am forever writing new characters and I’m never sure how much of myself I’m putting into them. It wasn’t until I got the music back from our fabulous composer, Will Stead that I realised there is some of me in Ben. It actually brought a tear to my eye.
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
Ben has lived a relatively sheltered life, especially when it comes to the gay scene. Freshly out of a 20-year monogamous marriage, he’s suddenly back in his hometown which is nothing like he remembers. He’s bisexual but very few people know that. Being single again is a bit like a kid being in a sweet shop. So much choice, so many colours, where do you begin? Personally, as an out, gay man who has lived in London for 20 years we are polar-opposites in this regard and I’m finding it fun to remember what it was like for me when I first ventured into the queer world.
How challenging has this role been for you?
I have never done drag before. I don’t wear makeup, I have short hair and I practically live in jeans and T-shirt so this is all new for me. Thankfully we have Dolly Diamond on the cast and she’s been helping me pick out wigs and lashes. I have a fabulous custom dress made and ridiculously high heels which I’ve been practicing to walk in for over a month. I’ve actually gotten quite good at it – although I’ll never get used to how tall they make me! The whole process has been totally new to me but so much fun to learn. And let’s face it – I did write the show, I did write my character and I knew what I was getting myself into. I think deep down I wanted to see what it was like to be a drag queen!
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
This is the fourth Fringe show I’ve written so I was careful to keep the set and props to a minimum. It can be a challenge at times but also a good opportunity to showcase the story without having to rely on set pieces.
How important is audience interaction to you?
When writing a comedy you never know what will land with an audience until you perform it. Everyone who has read the script have all said how funny it is but the true test will be with a live audience. I know from experience the things I think will get the biggest laugh might not and other lines I feel aren’t as funny may produce the biggest laugh of the night. You can never quite tell what will resonate with the audience until they’re there with you. The most important thing is that we are able to entertain the audience and they enjoy the show.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
We have invested a lot more money into the show than we know we could get back from ticket sales. Myself and the team really believe in the play and we’re hoping for a successful run this year which could open the doors to bigger opportunities next year. There are also two other shows in the pipeline for the coming years but for now all of our focus is on Dragging Your Heels. Whatever happens, we hope everyone who comes to see the show, enjoys it.
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
Tom Hardy – not because we look alike, but because I think he could pull it off.
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
Pink – it’s the colour of my ridiculously high heels, it’s eye-catching and the pink triangle is a symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community. I don’t think you could get a more perfect colour to represent a show about a builder becoming a drag queen.
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be?
Tapas – there are little bits for everyone.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
I’ve actually teamed up with an amazing composer to write the music for our five original songs, but if we were to use already known songs, it would be a very camp soundtrack. Kylie, Madonna, Dua Lipa, Erasure and maybe even some Lindsey Stirling.
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world where would it be?
The Palace Theatre in London. It was the first West End theatre I ever went to and saw Les Mis there (before it moved). To perform this show there to a sold out audience would be magical.
What is the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show?
I wrote a scene with the drag queen, Tammy Scowls answering the phone. I knew I wanted a landline phone and was looking at old rotary phones, but then I found it – a ’90s style telephone in the shape of huge, painted lips. It is absolutely perfect for this show.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
I would have the drag queen stage as a platform that comes out into the audience – a little like Evita’s balcony except with more glitz and glamour.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
Never give up. I’ve had a lot of hardship in my life and it would be so easy to give up, but I never have and I never will. That’s what this show is about, never giving up on your dreams or yourself.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Everyone is in the same boat as you. Talk to people, get to know other actors, producers, writers – share your ideas, go and see each others show and keep in contact. There’s a real community spirit in the fringe and I’ve made some great friends along the way. Who knows what the future will bring and who you might be working with.
Is there a question missing that you feel we should be asking you?
Who are you working with?
Paul T. Davies is directing me for the second time. I worked with him on my one-man gay rom-com and he’s such a great guy. He’s won many awards for his directing and writing over the years and I’m very fortunate to know him. We actually met at Edinburgh Fringe years ago and have stayed friends ever since.
Will Stead is the wonderful composer who has created the music to my words. We have international star Dolly Diamond in the cast playing drag queen Tammy Scowls alongside myself and Tafadzwa Madubeko who is playing Callum.
I’ve been unfortunate in the past to work with unprofessional and problematic people so now it’s important for me to work with a nice, professional team. It makes the whole creative process so much better and makes for a much better performance for the audience to enjoy.
Thanks to Terry for taking time out from practicing in those heels to chat to us. Dragging Your Heels will play at Camden People’s Theatre from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 August.
