The tour is called Unsanitised, and I think we can all guess what that’s a reference to. Is this going to be how Bianca Del Rio spent lockdown or is it a wider range of subjects? It’s a wider range. I usually go with a pretty vague title because I never know what I’m going to say. Originally, it wasn’t named Unsanitized because it was prior to the pandemic. But during the pandemic, I thought: what’s the best way to describe something that’s culturally happening, and also describe myself? It also gives people fair warning that it’s not going to be politically correct and that we’ve got some shit to discuss because the world is fucking crazy! That was basically the reasoning for calling it Unsanitized – warning people in advance. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Do you find it hard to find the funny side in things like COVID or do you think that no subject is off-limits in comedy? I don’t think things are off-limit but I do think you have to find the funny in it. I mean, look at the world as it is: you can turn on the TV and be completely depressed with everything that’s happening or you have to find the humour in it. And shockingly, the response has been astounding. I think people are interested in getting out of the house and trying to find the humour in it and if I can provide that… yay.
Some comedians have been saying that audiences have been more raucous and even a bit ruder coming out of the pandemic. This was just before all that, but there was even a comedian over here who had a bread roll thrown at him because they didn’t like his material [Nish Kumar, 2019]. Have you experienced any of that? No, I haven’t experienced that in my life. I mean, I’ve done some really shitty gigs in my life but overall, I think because people know that I’m a man in a wig they know my sense of humour. So I’m pretty lucky on that level.
But I think that if you try to appeal to mass audiences or if you’re dealing with an audience that doesn’t know you, so to speak, or if you’re Chris Rock, you’re fucked, because anything can happen. I haven’t had any of those moments but it is shocking to see the behaviour and the madness of it all.
Do you think that you can get away with saying things in drag that you couldn’t if you weren’t? Yeah, I think it’s more of a show. For instance, when you watch someone like Dame Edna you know Barry Humphries is a straight man who puts on a wig and becomes Edna and then all of a sudden, it’s believable. It’s funny. I obviously enjoy drag. I mean, I’ve done it now for 26 years, so I think it’s kind of the packaging for it, and it’s more of an event. You see most comedians are wearing sneakers and a little jacket and some jeans. That’s not what I would wear. I don’t think anything is less funny or funnier or that someone’s doing it wrong. I just think that’s how I’ve chosen to package myself and that’s what people go for.
You’re known for your roasts. But is there anyone who you wouldn’t want to roast? And is there someone who you’ve always wanted to but haven’t had the chance?
listen, there are enough winners for them to do whatever they want to do and some people really wanted to go back – I was not one of them. They understood that and were very sweet.
I still always enjoy seeing you pop up unexpectedly on the show. Yes, but to be a contestant again would be a different world for me now because I’m old, a little set in my ways. As I said, I had a great time and met some amazing people and had amazing opportunities and I’ve become very close friends with Adore [Delano, runner-up to Bianca on Season 6] and Courtney [Act, also a runner-up to Bianca on Season 6] and we still chat weekly. So anytime I’m invited to come back, I do, pending on my schedule But I do wish all of my friends a great time – Jinxx [Monsoon, Season 5 winner], Monet [X Change, All Stars 4 co-winner] and Raja [Season 3 winner].
You’ll be with us in Cardiff next month, and I know you’ve been to Wales on previous tours. Do you get to see much of it when you’re here and have you got any favourite spots?
My favourite spot to go is the theatre with an audience. But I don’t get to see much and I think that’s a shame. That’s the deceiving part of social media. People see that I go everywhere but I really don’t get to see much because of the travel schedule. I prefer the schedule to be tight, which means I can do more shows. I usually recognise where I am by the airport and dressing room.
So, in terms of favourite spots, it’s Cardiff Airport, St. David’s Hall… and that’s it? [Laughs] You’re usually confined to the theatre, your dressing room and a Starbucks. That’s about it.
I’d recommend Costa while you’re here. Greggs is something that Myra Dubois has introduced me to. A sausage roll from Greggs because I’m very fancy.
Thank you, Bianca, it’s been a dream talking to you!
“I find in truth there’s always funny. It can’t be funny unless it’s true.”
who reached out and said “I would like you to play this role and I will not take no as an answer.” So I couldn’t turn it down! You know, it’s the West End and as an actor and performer, you don’t say no to an opportunity like that. It’s very nice every now and then to escape my own world and get to do things with a group of people because usually, I’m travelling alone doing my solo shows.
I just love anybody with a sense of humour. I would even roast Queen Elizabeth. She has a sense of humour and I have a sense of humour about myself. I find in truth there’s always the funny. It can’t be funny unless it’s true. So I would say none of that, especially considering the current climate in the world. We all need to laugh.
You’ve starred in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie both over here and in the US. How did that all come about and what was the experience like?
It was amazing. I was asked a couple of years ago by the director, Johnny B [Jonathan Butterell],
I know you’ve said before that you didn’t think that you’d “survive” another season of Drag Race, but I have to know: did you get the call to go back on All Stars 7 and if you did, would you have reconsidered? Yeah, I was. The format is the same format from 14 years ago so I wasn’t interested. And I was very open to other options – I even gave other suggestions – but it just didn’t work out for me at the time. Also, I’d never cancel tour dates to go film a television show. When I commit to something, I commit to something. I’m grateful for the experience that I had but I’m a 47-year-old man and I just wasn’t interested in doing it with the same format, so I just politely declined. And
15 Let me tell you, you need better dreams.
Bianca Del Rio: Unsantised, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Mon 9 May. Tickets: £38-£113. Info:
stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
Matt Crockett
Denise Malone
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