Little Lark of London

Earlier this month, HÄNS & V.I.P.S, a charity comedy night in support of akt, took place at 21 Soho. For those unfamiliar with the charity, akt “help LGBTQ+ young people find safe homes, employment, education and training, where their identities will be accepted and celebrated.” Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Daisy Doris May, the actor, drag king, comedian and writer who created HÄUS OF DONS and hosts HÄNS & V.I.P.S as her drag personna, ‘Häns Off.’ We discussed how she got into drag, what inspired her to create a comedy night to support and even how people can support akt.

How did you first get started in the worlds of theatre and drag?

I studied Acting for three years at drama school Arts Ed and have since then had a career in TV, film and theatre. It was over lockdown I had the space and time to explore creating different Drag King characters and alter egos to keep myself company while living alone in that time!

What inspired you to create HÄUS OF DONS? 

I wanted to create a space that focused on platforming Drag Kings and bringing the art form into exciting spaces. With my background of comedy, improv and theatre, I wanted to create a unique hybrid that ties together all of these worlds. 

What made you decide to support akt with HÄNS & V.I.P.S?

I knew I wanted to do something for a homeless charity at the end of this year. AKT are one of the only charities that focus on homelessness within my community. I absolutely love what they do and feel incredibly proud to be putting this on in their name. 

How did you make HÄNS & V.I.P.S a “genre of its own?”

I think Häns Off is a bit of a… unusual host anyway (!) So the night will naturally be a mash-up of drag, comedy, cabaret and party! It has unintentionally become a bit of a genre of its own I suppose – yes! 

What can people do to support akt?

You can offer time to volunteer. Of course you could donate if you can. Or if there’s one thing you could do today, give them a follow on social media to see what they’re getting up to. 

What do you hope audiences take away from HÄNS & V.I.P.S?

I hope they walk away knowing everyone was really part of something. Rather than just having watched something. I want people to walk away with perhaps 1% more confidence, silliness and sass. And with this night in particular, for everyone’s hearts to be full. It is of course a hugely sensitive issue but my hope is that through fun, we can do something really beautiful and big collectively. 

How would you describe HÄUS OF DONS in one word?

KÖoki.

HÄNS & V.I.P.S is presented by HÄUS OF DONS, a queer community, bridging the gap between theatre and cabaret, putting on immersive spectacles always with Drag Kings at the forefront. The evening is hosted by actor, Drag King, writer, producer and director of HÄUS OF DONS, Daisy Doris May, as their alter ego Berghain born klubkid HÄNS OF.

The line-up features Vrooom Vrooom and Comedy Up Late comedian/musician/actor Josh Glanc, Live At The Apollo and The Stand Up Sketch Show regular, Sikisa, and The Emily Atak Show and The Now Show’s writer Mary O’Connell, alongside social media sensation Christopher Hall. The night will also feature Drag Kings from HÄUS OF DONS.