Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
My name is Dan Wye and I perform as the mystic Séayoncé. I am a queer comedy cabaret performer from the dark sordid pits of Coventry, who has elevated themselves to the dark sordid pits of the London drag and comedy scene. A guy I really fancied once said I was “simultaneously on the cusp of tragic and iconic at all times.” He then ghosted me and a week later Dunelm gave me a sponsorship deal for Great British Bin week (true story) #binfluencer.
How would you describe your show?
It is a comedy cabaret séance, led by the Late Great Ghost Whisperer Séayoncé! There will be spiritual possessions, exorcisms and spellbinding ballads. You will laugh so much you will die and then Séayoncé will resurrect you. A night of joyous supernatural chaos to make you feel more alive than you ever have! “To feel alive again…you must be scared to death,” it is bound to be an occult classic! The show also features musical genius Robyn Herfellow.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I crave validation and financial risk.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
There isn’t any other festival in the world that will make you want to climb up an ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat, thinking that it will give you clarity and help with your mental wellbeing. Only to realise you’re a comedian and mental wellbeing isn’t part of the package.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I was actually tricked into doing stand up comedy by my friend, who secretly put me on the bill of a fundraiser she was organising. As she thought I would be a good comedian and then only told me the evening before! Without sounding like someone who owns an Etsy shop selling jewellery made out of pasta, I find inspiration from most of the people in my life who are hilarious and gorgeous, but that is mandatory to be in my cult.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
For as long as I can remember I have been told off for making people laugh and distracting people in class. Also growing up people didn’t really want you to be queer so it’s great that these things are literally my living. I almost believe that becoming a drag ghost whisperer was inevitable for me.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I remember in reception at primary school when we had playtime, there was a dressing-up box and I would always dress up like an old glamorous woman in long flowing gowns. Which the teachers found hilarious and would get me to walk around school and show the other teachers and students in the classrooms…which as a flaming homosexual child in the closet, did wonders for the bullying.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
Bitcoin
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
I don’t think it has changed, I have always had the understanding that the foundation of my craft is simply joy. So when we are creating the work there is joy when we are performing there is joy and what people take away is joy. My job is literally just to distract people from the horrors of existence for an hour and make them laugh, which is maybe even more important now. Hey, would you be interested in some pasta shell bracelets from my Etsy shop? (I’m giving this energy aren’t I?)
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Deep throating swabs
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
It really depends on the situation. If your first dance at your wedding was to a Michael Jackson song and that song makes you feel good and has nice memories attached, carry on enjoying what that song means to you. But also at some point try and get some good taste.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
God, so I could make the men I am attracted to more emotionally intelligent and open.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Find a sugar daddy.
When and where can people see your show?
You can see my show Séayoncé Res-Erection at Assembley Roxy at 22:00, come, it’s about time you came.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
@dan.wye (Instagram) @DanielWye (twitter)
See Séayoncé: Res-Erection at the Assembly during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 3-28 August. For more information and tickets visit www.edfringe.com or www.assemblyfestival.com
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