Interview: Polly Amorous & Esther Parade, ‘Polly & Esther’

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Polly Amorous & Esther Parade about their high-camp, chaotic drag cabaret show.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far?

POLLY: Well, I’ve been Cardiff’s favourite drag queen since I started back in 2016.

ESTHER: You’re really old aren’t you?

POLLY: Shut up please. And I have spent all these years working the gigs, doing the circuit and generally being a superstar. Couple of years ago I did my first professional theatre show at Wales Millennium Centre, in Cardiff - which would be the first in a trilogy of alternative Christmas shows, XXXMas Carol, The Lion, the B!tch and the Wardrobe and The First XXXMas. And it was around the time of the first one, in 2021, I met Esther…

ESTHER: Yes! We’d both been stars of our own shows, mine was out of Drag; a solo autobiographical play called Grandmother’s Closet which ended up going to Edinburgh Fringe and playing Summerhall in 2022, so this isn’t my first time at the rodeo! BUt as Polly said, around that time we got to know each other and relaised there was some undeniable on stage chemistry, and now here we are, making a show together!

POLLY: It’s been a long old road, but we got there!

What is your show about?

ESTHER: It’s about finding your tribe!

POLLY: Fighting corporate LGBTQ+ agendas!

ESTHER: Chosen family!

POLLY: It’s a look behind the curtain into the chaotic world of being a drag performer!

ESTHER: And it’s about embracing what makes us unique.

POLLY: A silly celebration of queerness, about finding your family. Right?

ESTHER: Yes…with loads of bangers and pop culture references thrown in. 

What was the inspiration for Polly & Esther and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

POLLY: I think we’ve always admired what makes us different artists; we’re a bit like chalk and cheese. I’m more of a Dua Lipa style pop princess…

ESTHER: Whereas I’m more of a moustached crooner; think Judy Garland if she were hairy and not as glamorous.

POLLY: Don’t be so hard on yourself dear, you’re not that hairy. 

ESTHER: Thanks…but I think our differences is what makes the show and our partnership so enjoyable. It shouldn’t work together, but somehow, it does.

POLLY: Exactly, and that’s what we found when we first got into the room to start developing it last summer; we both wanted to take the show in different directions, and by showing our different instincts and ideas on stage you can kind of cater to loads of different demographics and also show that there are so many different ways to be queer, and so many different ways to approach drag.

ESTHER: We’ve had loads of support along the way too, to make sure it isn’t too unhinged (we hope!) Our primary partners are Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and Pleasance who are producing the show as part of the Edinburgh National Partnerships Scheme, and of course we’ve had unrivalled support from Arts Council Wales too. We’re here on the Wales In Edinburgh scheme.

POLLY: And don’t forget our amazing team too, particularly our Director and co-writer Nerida Bradley, and our Musical Director Connor Fogel. 

ESTHER: It really takes a village doesn’t it?!

What made you want to take Polly & Esther to the Fringe?

POLLY: Well, I’ve never been to Scotland before, I just wanted to see what all the fuss is about to be honest.

ESTHER: And on the flip side of that, this will be third Fringe in a row taking a show up, so I couldn’t really miss out. 

POLLY: In all seriousness though, we’re both fairly well known in the Cardiff scene, and we’re both kind of itching to get our names beyond our small but mighty scene. 

ESTHER: Plus Edinburgh is such a delightful spot for getting to know the wide network of artists - in particular drag artists - around the UK and even the world. What an opportunity for us to meet new people!

POLLY: And for new people to meet us of course.

ESTHER: Of course…

Apart from seeing Polly & Esther, what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

ESTHER: Take clothes for every season and temperature. Seriously. Especially a big ol’ raincoat.

POLLY: Well I was just planning on being in hot girl summer clothes for the month…

ESTHER: Good luck, babe.

POLLY: Thanks.

ESTHER: I would say, try and see the kind of thing you wouldn’t normally see. This is the place to do it! There are shows in Edinburgh that you would never get to see anywhere else in the world, so embrace the strange, take the risks and have fun!

Why should people book Polly & Esther?

POLLY: Because we’re icons!

ESTHER: It’s going to be a load of fun, with a bit of heart too.

POLLY: And it’s on at the perfect time to grab a drink and start the night off to a fun silly start. 

ESTHER: And Pleasance Courtyard is one of the most social places to hang out at the festival. Grab a pint and come see us!

When and where can people see Polly & Esther?

19:40, Pleasance Courtyard, The Green (Venue 33), Jul 31st - Aug 26th (not 12th & 19th)