A hyper stylised funeral cabaret that celebrates the life and mourns the death of a personified Musical Theatre. Taking songs about death from various musicals Miss Ann Thropp guides you through the various causes of death of originality within the musical theatre industry. Dr.Pants mourns with Miss Ann Thropp ahead of the funeral on the 24th and 25th of October during Colchester Fringe.
NAP: Hello Miss Ann Thropp. I wish we could have had this interview under better circumstances. But nonetheless, tell us what this funeral is about.
MAT: My show is looking at the death of originality within the musical theatre industry and looks at the causes. such as endless revivals, over commercialisation and an unhealthy obsession with adapting 80s movies and TV Shows. The show takes song from various musicals that all follow the overarching theme of death.
NAP: What inspired you to write this drag cabaret eulogy?
MAT: I was inspired to write this show because I am a colossal fan of musical theatre but have been incredibly dismayed by the fact all we have been seeing in recent years is adaptations of 80s-90s movies, revivals of the same shows we have seen revived countless times, and super over commercialisation of certain musicals which goes against the plot of the shows that are being produced.
NAP: A funeral does not sound pretty fun… and yet, here we are having a drag cabaret fun musical. How do you make death… fun?!
MAT: The biggest challenge is finding a balance between reading the musical theatre industry for filth, having it feel like a funeral and still be enjoyable to watch whilst not feeling like a 1 hour rant of how many issues there are with originality within the musical theatre industry
There is no other drag cabaret featuring live musical theatre singing taking a satirical look at the death of originality within the musical theatre industry whilst being set in a funeral. The only show to personify the concept of “Musical Theatre”. There is comedy, live singing, musical theatre, drag, cabaret, and sparkly costumes. What more could you possibly want? and it’s very queer positive and is performed by a queer artist, written by 3 queer artists.
NAP: Why have this funeral at Colchester Fringe? Why have your fringe debut in Colchester instead of the West End?
MAT: I decided to perform at Colchester Fringe because I have been reviewing it for GJDReviews since 2024. I have become friends with so many of the team and performers from around the world and it feels like a family. I can’t think of a better fringe to make my debut.
I am hopeful the audience will go home from the show happy and smiling and questioning whether we need more truly original work within the musical theatre industry, to balance out the hyper commercialised, over-revived and adaptations of pre-existing media that we see in a perpetual cycle. looking at you PADDINGTON!
NAP: Hey, don’t go hating on my bear bro. I’ll fight for Paddington to the death. That said, you are right. We are seeing a hyper commercialization of theatre in a perpetual cycle of lazy revivals and adaptations of existing media. It’s why Fringes are so important in keeping theatre alive. Without spoiling the show, can you tell us: why is musical theatre dying?
MAT: There is, in my opinion, a number of issues that are leading to the death of the musical theatre industry. There is the obvious lack of originality with, endless revivals, endless adaptations and readaptions of the some source material, hyper-commercialisation and long running musicals that reduce the number of available theatres within the west end. There is also the fact that there is a distinct preference of pre existing actors and actresses always being cast in every single musical in lead roles leaving very little space for new talent. Whilst some shows have cast new artists such as Hannah Nordberg in Beetlejuice the show is also filled with very talented but well known people.
I think somethings we can do to fix this is to take bigger risks on new material and new artists. For me if I see a musical advertising brand new talent that a lot of them are making west end or professional debuts I am far more likely to go and see that show.
NAP: Where did your drag name come from?
MAT: My drag name is portmanteau of Misanthropy and Elphaba Thropp combining my bitter take on the world and my love of the musical theatre industry.
You can catch Miss Ann Thropp Presents: A Funeral for Musical Theatre on 24th and 25th of October during Colchester Fringe. While you’re attending this funeral, you might as well come to the wake happening through the rest of Colchester Fringe. There you will find Free Crisps, light European music, and old ladies. If you’re not sure how to get to the wake following the funeral services, please ask Dr.Pants for directions to the DARK ROOM.
