We chatted to Topsie about her show Topsie Redfern’s Crystal Balls, playing at Two Brewers from the 28th to the 30th July.
Hi Topsie, what can we expect from your show? It’s Cabaret meets Theatre. On one hand it is camp and fun with some great songs but on the other hand, through the exploration of my traveller heritage and the queer histories I was never taught as a kid, it is proving to be very moving – for both me and the audience. I looked
around at the last show at one point and everyone crying (tick: Job done!). It’s a journey of
queer self-acceptance. Feedback from audiences is that it has been that “Crystal Balls” is
hugely entertaining but also interesting and thought provoking.
How does it feel to be coming back to The Two Brewers? I have performed Drag Cabaret in the front bar many times and always really enjoy the Clapham crowd – they love their Drag and are always up for a fun evening. I run a Drag bingo afternoon with DJ Robson in the backroom (the space where we are performing
“Crystal Balls”) and I think it’s going to be the perfect space for the show.
What have you been up to for the last year in terms of trying to keep busy? Like most people I spent many months working really hard on the sofa-marathon that was trying to complete Netflix. However, at one point I looked around at the people who were learning seven languages and advanced Pilates and how to prune Bonsai trees and felt I should do something a tad more productive! So Sarah Chew and I teamed up to write Crystal Balls –
it’s our Lockdown baby.
How did the idea for the show come about? I’ve been wanting to explore my Irish Traveller / Showman heritage for a long time. My Great Grandmother was a renowned fortune teller – Madame Olga. She has always fascinated me, and I wanted to learn more. I turned 40 during lockdown so staring at my grey roots I felt it
was the right time to explore my other roots – my theatrical, musical and family roots.
What are you most looking forward to about performing again? There is just no feeling like it. I’ve missed live audiences sooo much during lockdown. Being on stage for me is the best part of life – I live for the connection with an audience and of course the applause is quite nice too.
Why should people come along and watch? Firstly, it’s great to support the entertainment industry after the massive punch that Covid has delivered. It’s also exciting that producer Catia Cairo is now onboard at The Two
Brewers – she is working to develop diverse programming in the back room and I know they
are keen to nurture and expand their audiences. For Topsie fans it’s a chance to see me in a different light and if you’ve never seen Topsie … or Nathan for that matter, I promise you a really enjoyable and entertaining evening.
Topsie Redfern’s Crystal Balls will play at The Two Brewers 28th – 30th July.
www.outsavvy.com/event/6055/topsie-redferns-crystal-balls-the-two-brewers-cabaret-theatre