Dolly Parton is a global icon, and one of the people who gave an enormous amount of money to develop the COVID-19 vaccine. When she isn’t being an international country music star, she’s gifting children all around the world a set of books to encourage childhood literacy.
Dolly is also politically liberal, a supporter of gay rights, god-mother to Miley Cyrus and wrote the dancefloor banger “9 to 5” to accompany the film of the same name, which she also starred in.
All of this naturally means that she is an internet meme, with people asking “What Would Dolly Do?”, to seek answers to a multitude of different circumstances.
This brings us to Drag Queen Tora Himan. Himan has created a show using the wisdom contained within the lyrics of Parton’s songs, to try to help her through an emotionally devastating moment in her life.
Tora has also decided to channel Parton’s spirit directly, by performing as her during this performance. It’s drag-inception, in a way.
This is classic, old-school drag – with lip-synching, audience interaction and participation, and numerous costume changes.
Tora/Dolly is assisted by “Debbie” and “Diane”, who help with costume changes, and vibe as backing dancers/singers. They whip the audience up, and encourage singing along, clapping, and enthusiastic banging of tambourines during one very upbeat song.
These assistants are in reality, a travel agent from the US and curiously, Matthew from series nine of The Great British Sewing Bee. Matthew really is giving it everything, and plainly having the time of his life.
This is a really lovely show, which absolutely needs you to just let go of any inhibitions you might have, and join in enthusiastically. Think “Priscilla”, but in the basement of an Edinburgh nightclub, rather than a slightly dubious Sydney gay bar.
As we move through the hour, we get to know more of Tora/Dolly’s story, and we inevitably move to the reason she has created this show.
It’s incredibly personal and the vulnerability as Himan shares why she was motivated to deal with her grief in this manner is a moment of heartfelt honesty and quiet in an otherwise upbeat and energetic hour.
We loved this show – Tora/Dolly is a great entertainer, and Tora obviously values the wisdom of Parton as a guiding force.
Regrettably, this was a show with a short run, which has now concluded. If Tora comes back to the Fringe in the future, or takes this show elsewhere, we would heartily recommend it to you. Just make sure you have a tissue for the emotional parts.
More details of Tora’s shows can be found on her website, which includes listings for future performances.
Featured Image courtesy of Torahiman.com/Fringe Society
