The Freak and the Showgirl

  

Mat Fraser, one of the best known disabled performers in the U.K., is a multi disciplinary performing artist writer, and musician. Awarded by The Queen for his work with disabled children in Brazil, He has played to audiences at The Royal Albert Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Rooms at The Southbank Centre in London, as well as sold out shows to thousands of people in Seattle, Perth, New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, and Edinburgh, as well as performing for the Dutch Royal family. Recent TV and feature film credits include “The Fades”, “Cast Off’s”, “Holby City”, “Metrosexuality”, and “Chemical Wedding”.

He has made numerous documentaries such as “Born Freak”, as well as his award winning plays such as “Sealboy:Freak”, and “Thalidomide!! A Musical”, and has played the lead in the controversial “cripsloitation” action film “Unarmed But Dangerous”. He is engaged to the legendary New York artiste Julie Atlas Muz, and they have two current touring shows, “Beauty and the Beast”, to be directed by Phelim Mc Dermott next year, and “The Freak & The Showgirl”, which enjoyed sold out runs at the Amsterdam, Perth, & Adelaide Fringe festivals.

As well as being the co-host for the BBC’s Ouch pod cast for the last 6 years, Mat is also a popular International cabaret host & artiste, having worked extensively in the USA and U.K. On the relationship between disability and entertainment. His British wit, subversive lack of political correctness around disability, the sideshow style (he has worked for 10 years at neo sideshow Coney Island’s “Sideshows By The Seashore”), his playful sexuality, songs, comedy and outrageous antics onstage have all added to his infamy. He is the title holder of the Erotic Award (U.K.) for Best Male Striptease artist 2007.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An actor

When did you know you would work in the arts?
By the time I was about 16

Where did you get your start in the arts?
Having actors for parents, and being a drummer for 17 years in various punk and rock bands, then discovering the Disability Arts world

As a returning act, how did this year’s Fringe World grow and improve from the pilot season in 2011?
Well clearly it was bigger bolder and better, with exponential growth of audience and venues, variety of output, and a particular focus on promoting Oz acts, with the slots times & available awards favouring them.

How does Fringe World compare to other Fringe festivals around the world?
It's smaller, but far more enthusiastic. if you learn one thing it should be to NOT overwork and underpay the infrastructure, as many times in other ones they are too tired to do their job well, or care about it that uch. The difference in perth is fantastic in that respect as well as many others, We Love it in Perth!

What was your favourite part of Fringe World? O
Our show. Hanging out with others artists in the gardens. I thought Magnus was awesome

Did you see many other performances at the festival? Who was your favourite?
Some so so stuff to be honest, bit I did like Meow Meow, & Sugar Blue Burlesque show was well realised I thought. Some acts needed more work, like the talent is there but they still don't know how to structure a show.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
With difficulty.

Who in your industry most inspires you?
Peter Dinklage, Rob Zombie, Dusty Limits, Murray Hill, Meow Meow, and others

What is the best thing about your job?
Applause. Its a drug that I am addicted to

What advice would you give anyone looking to break into the field? w
Work harder, and for fuck's sake people, get a fucking director that is not your mate who won't actually take you to task on anything!

What is next for you?
Rest, getting married, a play for National Theatre of Wales, developing my and Julie's next piece "Beauty and the Beast" with director Phelim McDermott, also our next Freak & the Showgirl presentation "Real Live Sex", more work on the Irish soap opera I am on, and writing the final draft for my next play

For more info in Mat and his work, please go to: www.matfraser.co.uk