A bin man swaps steel-toed boots for stilettos to chase his dream of becoming a drag queen. But can he overcome inflexible hamstrings, an anti-woke boyfriend and the cost-of-living crisis in his quest to be crowned Miss Stoke?
Following a sold-out run at the Camden Fringe, Offie-nominated ‘Wasteman’ is a raucous comedy with tons of heart about making something fabulous in the most un-fabulous of settings. This one-person show combines monologue, song and (of course) drag in a love letter to both hard-working Northerners and gender euphoria, based on writer Joe Leather’s real-life experiences working as a Refuse Loader through lockdown.
“Pick of the Camden Fringe” – ReviewsHub, **** – BingeFringe, **** – LouReviews
(For previous work) ***** – BroadwayBaby, ***** – ThreeWeeks, **** – The Telegraph
When life gives you garbage, make it gorgeous.
Joe Leather (he/they) is an Offie-nominated writer and performer. Acting credits include Jersey Boys (International Tour), Oklahoma! (Gordon Craig) and Sleep No More (Punchdrunk, Shanghai). His comedy TikTok (@leathermyjoe) has garnered over a million likes, while TV credits include Britain's Got Talent and The Last Leg.
Their previous musical, 'The Lost Works of Willy Shakes' was one of the Telegraph's '20 Must-see Shows of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019'. Joe has also provided script and lyrics to touring UK Drag Show 'Queenz' while 'Wasteman' had a sell-out run at the Camden Fringe and received an OffFest nomination for best show.
Press & Reviews
4.5/5 ReviewsHub "might just be the best of the [Camden Fringe]"
**** - LouReviews "well-plotted, very funny"
****- FringeBiscuit "deftly straddles drama and comedy"
OffFest Nomination for Best Show at the Camden Fringe 2022
Praise for previous work
Broadway Baby (*****)
ThreeWeeks (*****)
The Telegraph (****) "wittily crafted...musically deft" Top 20 Must-See Shows of Edinburgh Fringe 2019
Cast & Creative Team Director: KAT BOND- is an actress, writer, comedian and improviser. She studied Acting amongst the likes of 'The League of Gentlemen' at Bretton Hall and then continued her bohemian dream and went to Clown school with Phillipe Guallier. She formed critically acclaimed comedy That Pair and is now performing her solo show Loo Roll around the country. As an actress, TV Credits include Doctor Brown's Channel 4 Blaps, Call the Midwife, The Agency and Sky's The Greatest of all Time along with Radio 4’s Sketchorama and Expenses Only. Kat trained at Monkey Toast and FA in the UK along with several guest coaches from around the world and is a proud member of 'The Commitee Improv'.