Drag and the divine come together in the world premiere of Oraculum, created and performed by two of Canada’s foremost drag artists, Denim and Pythia. Debuting at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Oraculum is an avant-garde freak show that blends theatre, drag, puppetry, and multimedia artistry. Audiences are taken on an odyssey of self-discovery, viewed through the crystal ball — or computer screen — of an online psychic reading website. This otherworldly spectacle promises to pull back the curtain on gender, identity, and spirituality.
Denim, the drag persona of Emerson Sanderson, is a transgender autistic multidisciplinary artist based in Montreal. With a practice spanning video, textile, performance, and photography, Denim’s work often critiques toxic positivity, surveillance, and the cis gaze. “Harm reduction is so important to me in my work and is always at the core of it,” she reflects. Pythia, born Christos Darlasis, is a first-generation Greek-Canadian costume designer, makeup artist, and drag performer who captured audiences’ attention on Canada’s Drag Race Season 2. A lover of mythology and history, Pythia describes herself as a “storyteller who finds joy in making art that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
With Oraculum, Denim and Pythia have tried to create a fun experimental middle ground where theatre and drag can “meet and thrive”. “We’re both very strong visual artists, and beyond anything, we value the practical skills and the power of storytelling that come through such mediums.” They highlight the collaboration between video, scenic and sound design, and costuming, which work “in perfect unison to tell our story in such a unique way”.
Originally, Oraculum was conceived as a much more linear story of a matron oracle in a travelling circus. “It played out through a series of multiple readings where each card became a character or drag number with very minimal script, much like a musical,” the duo explains. However, during an exploration residency at Buddies in April, the concept evolved.
“We looked at ourselves as a duo and our collective interests – drag identities, public reality TV personas, social media, and the Drag Race fandom – and how obsessive and toxic the culture can be. We thought it would be fun to explore that through a modern lens,” they note. This shift also challenged them to step outside their comfort zone and embrace a more theatrical approach. “It forced us to push ourselves as artists, get out of our box, and explore the possibilities of long-form drag storytelling.”
At the heart of Oraculum are Kayleigh (bimbo) and Matt (twink), exaggerated archetypes inspired by reality TV tropes. “Kayleigh and Matt actively curate and manipulate their own realities, leaning into stereotypes because it’s entertaining and addictive, but at the same time, there’s something raw and human about them,” Denim and Pythia explain. “They’re reality TV characters we all know very well and love… or love to hate, but they’re too entertaining to look away from. You’re invested in their storyline even if it’s like watching a car crash.”
The show also delves into themes of toxic relationships, forgiveness, and redemption, drawing from the creators’ personal experiences. “We feel like we’ve all found ourselves in a toxic friendship or relationship at one point in our lives (and if you haven’t, damn, we envy you). This play also draws on how spirituality has been weaponized against us in the past by people in positions of power,” they explain.
A recurring motif in the play is the Tower tarot card, which they describe as “a very bad omen for practitioners of the divinatory arts.” It signifies abrupt ends, chaos, and disaster, but also the opportunity to rebuild. “The Tower is about deconstructing something old so that you may re-build a stronger foundation. It really resonates with our work and even our current political climate—unlearning toxic habits and reconnecting through hard work and education is very important.”
The creation of Oraculum was a deeply collaborative effort, involving set, lighting, and projection designer Cosette “Ettie” Pin, sound designer steph raposo, and ghostwriter Lauren Gillis. Together, the team brought a kaleidoscopic vision to life, balancing humour, depth, and visual splendour.
“Drag is inherently subversive,” Denim and Pythia explain. “It gives you the freedom to play with expectations and flip everything on its head. We love dancing on the line between serious and just plain stupid. Our drag offers light humour into deep subjects, and this play comments on those in very humorous intervals.”
Denim sums up the essence of the show: “Oraculum plays into so many tropes and archetypes but amplifies and dramatizes them to the fullest extent. I am obsessed with reality TV and pop culture and am fascinated by the digital world and online discourse—this show touches on all of that but in the campiest way. Both Pythia and I find joy in making art that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I don’t have a specific message that I hope people take away from this show; I just hope it inspires the viewer to walk away with something they haven’t experienced before.”
Oraculum, a Buddies in Bad Times and Denim + Pythia co-production, runs until December 14, 2024. Mask Mandatory Performances: December 7, 2:00 PM and December 10, 7:30 PM. Relaxed Performance: December 7, 2:00 PM. Tickets are available at buddiesinbadtimes.com.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine, 2024
