“Selina Jenkins”:comic, winner of the Melbourne Fringe Festival ‘Best Cabaret’ Award in 2006, spoke to The Groggy Squirrel about her upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) show, why she dresses as a man to perform and Beau Heartbreaker’s fondness for flannelette.
Darlene Taylor: I’d like to start by asking what inspired Beau Heartbreaker’s existence. Was he invented for political reasons or just for the purposes of having a laugh?
Selina Jenkins: The idea behind the creation of Beau Heartbreaker is as simple as the lad’s dress sense. I wanted to find a way in which I could continue to play original music, get more gigs, and move away from the brilliant but slightly over-saturated Melbourne female acoustic music scene. I realised a long time ago that without a little stage time here and there, I’m bloody miserable. Beau set me apart, and allowed me to continue doing what I love. There was no political or personal drive other than that. He was never meant to be particularly funny, but when people laughed it felt good, so I kept it up. I suppose when you enjoy something so much, you find a way. At the moment character comedy provides me with that opportunity.
DT: What can audiences expect from Introducing Beau Heartbreaker at MICF? Is Beau still wooing the “ladies” or has he embraced his inner “lady man”?
SJ: I think audiences can expect a really satisfying show. Beau is definitely still ‘wooing’ the ladies, but also has a number of things to share regarding his home life. Beau’s interests and passions aside from the ladies shine through significantly brighter than in previous shows.
Last year’s Festival may have been Beau’s debut into mainstream comedy, but I’ve been performing this particular character all over Victoria and parts of Sydney for almost three years. The character, like any other, has developed detail. I attempt to create characters that audiences can get lost in. Unlike some drag, I don’t want to keep reminding people that I’m a woman.
The particular “lady man” line came about as a necessity more than anything else. I’ve done a lot of gigs without any type of introduction and found that audiences were often unsure of what they had in front of them. People up the back of the room thought I was a bloke, people at the front didn’t know what to think. The “lady man” line helped with that situation. We’re not used to women playing male characters, and being presented with anything other than a caricature often falls outside our (experience).
DT: How will the show differ from the production that scored you the Melbourne Fringe Festival ‘Best Cabaret’ Award?
SJ: I’ve spent a bit of time writing more music and thinking about what Beau would want people to know about him. Audiences will be introduced to other things that Beau is passionate about, or simply dabbling in at the time. I really enjoy those little moments that pop up sometimes when you’re in an intimate space with an audience. There’ll be a lot more of that spontaneous goodness.
DT: According to The Age, “Selina Jenkins’ gender-queer creation is stunning”, which is one hell of a compliment and an interesting take on Heartbreaker. Please discuss (yuck, sounds like a question from a women’s studies exam) the importance of subverting sex and sexual norms in your work.
SJ: When I first read that particular review, I was a little undecided as to whether I would use that quote or not. I was trying desperately (perhaps a little naively) to steer away from falling into the ‘queer’, ‘gender exploration’ or ‘drag king’ performance basket. I wasn’t out to make a statement on anything, and didn’t understand why I couldn’t just be another person dabbling in character comedy.
I spend my days as a youth worker supporting and advocating. I’m passionate, I’m educated, and in full support of those who have something big and loud to say.
What I have to say is not quite as loud. I want to say that it’s okay to shift in your seat when I first step on stage. I want to say that I neither despise nor dismiss those who are unsure or uncomfortable in Beau’s presence. I’m here to entertain you and enjoy your company.
I’m here to sing and carry on and do what I love. If an audience member who was a little unsure before the show walks away feeling more confident to explore other areas outside their perceived comfort zone that’s enough for me.
DT: It seems that drag queens have been embraced by the non-queer community; however, drag kings haven’t come out of lesbian nightclubs. I was interested in the reactions you’ve received from straight and GLTB audiences and from female and male audience members.
SJ: I’ve seen a lot of drag king and queen shows over the past five years and have often found that king performances are a lot more confrontational and politically driven. The shows…contain a very strong narrative and require a level of attention that can be difficult to achieve.
Individual reactions to my performance as Beau have always interested me. Overall the response has been better than I could’ve imagined. There’s often a moment when I first step on stage as Beau where some audience members seem a little concerned or unsure.
Their concerns usually turn to smiles within the first minute or so and audiences seem to genuinely like (him). I’ve never heard from anybody who thoroughly hated the show, and the general response from both straight and queer audiences is a positive one.
DT: Beau’s taste in clothes might land “him” a part in a movie about disaffected working-class blokes. What’s “he” going to be wearing at MICF? What do you and “he” hope to accomplish at the Festival (pulling chicks is only a partially acceptable answer)?
SJ: Beau will be sporting jeans and a flannelette. Clothes are expensive and I already own these two items. It’s comfortable and seems to suit the character. I’m all about comfort. It just so happens that one of my other characters gets around in trackies and oversized t-shirts. Find the comfort, and then create the character.
I hope to fill the tiny cloakroom that I’m performing in with giggles and grins of satisfaction. I hope to have a giggle myself. I hope to gather the courage to have a beer in one of the bars after the show (I get a little nervous, but I’d like to look cool at least once).
Beau probably just hopes he won’t miss his tram.
Introducing Beau Heartbreaker will be playing at MICF from 17 to 29 April at Melbourne Town Hall. Check the MICF website for further details.