Swamplesque is a burlesque and drag parody that has captivated audiences across Australia and makes its Edinburgh debut this year.
A celebration of queer and plus-sized performers, Swamplesque ingeniously weaves the narrative of the original Shrek films into a magical spectacle that empowers and entertains.
A riotous homage to the iconic ogre and his fantastical world, Swamplesque offers a smorgasbord of performance and artistry. Audiences can expect a fusion of burlesque, drag, and comedy, all set against the backdrop of Far Far Away. This show has a celebration of body diversity at its core, with a focus on showcasing performers with a wide range of body types while sticking two green fingers up at the traditional, narrow, and often inaccessible aesthetics of burlesque.
Swamplesque is a rebellion against the proscriptive demands of traditional burlesque – which tends to highlight a single type of body, just as pre-Shrek fairytales used to highlight only one kind of handsome Prince and helpless Princess. Shrek was the original storybook anti-hero and Trigger
Happy Productions have assembled a cast of world-class performers who bring his irreverent
spirit to life while challenging stereotypes and inviting audiences to revel in their own
uniqueness.
In Australia, Swamplesque received critical acclaim and accolades, winning the prestigious Best Cabaret Weekly Awards at both the Adelaide Fringe and Perth Fringe World festivals.
Creator and Director, Ben Trigger ha enjoyed more than 15 years in the live theatre industry taking him to the helm of Swamplesque. With a background spanning drama, dance and musical theatre,
Trigger’s vision breathes life into the production, and he prides himself on presenting unique acts
that wow audiences and push boundaries.
As well as producing Swamplesque and The Stripsons
(yes…a burlesque Simpsons show), Ben is also an award-winning performer with such titles as
King of Boylesque at New Zealand Burlesque Festival & Mr Boylesque Australia 1st Runner-up.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
