• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

INTERVIEW / Joe Leather talks Wasteman at VAULT Festival

February 6, 2023 by Tom Bailey Leave a Comment

We spoke to writer and performer and writer Joe Leather about his upcoming show Wasteman at VAULT Festival

 

What inspired you to create this show? 

I was working in Shanghai over lockdown when COVID happened, and  found myself stranded in the UK with uncertain prospects. To make ends meet I got a job at a jewellery shop which closed the day I was meant to start. From there,I stumbled into a line of work which I was sure wouldn’t be going anywhere: refuse collection. While working there full time, I also created a drag persona, Mariah Scarey, to entertain my friends on Zoom.Being a bin-man moonlighting as a drag queen (or maybe a drag queen moonlighting is a bin-man?) Is how ‘Wasteman’ was born.

 

What were the main challenges in your creative process?

Editing the material was very difficult. So many ridiculous things happened in my time as a refuse loader: I was cursed by a witch for not letting her put a dead pheasant in the recycling, we had an on-going feud with a local old people’s home and at one point an actual crime scene was discovered. None of this is in the show. I had to be ruthless in deciding what was a great story to tell in the pub and what would actually serve the over-arching message of the piece.

Events in the play are also drawn from certain tragedies in my life. Mining this trauma was difficult, but I’m so proud of what I’ve created and hope that it serves as something that heals and resonates with anyone who has gone through similar hardships.

What can the audience expect from Wasteman? 

Original songs, fabulous outfits and a wheelie bin! Wasteman is a raucous comedy and a love-letter to the hard-working Northerners I grew up around . However, it’s also a deeply moving piece about the struggles queer people face in a world that isn’t always kind to them.  Ultimately though, an audience can expect to leave feeling uplifted and ready to take life’s garbage and make it gorgeous.


Where do you see Wasteman going?

There are some dates in the diary already. Brighton Fringe on the 25th and 26th of May, Greater Manchester Fringe on the 5th and 6th of July, with other festivals to be announced soon. I hope to take it to Edinburgh, would love a chance to perform a longer run in London, and am already manifesting a West End transfer and million-pound Netflix deal.

 

What excites you most about taking part in VAULT Festival?

Being part of such a vibrant and talented community. The vibes are immaculate and all the artists are so supportive of each other. Everything I’ve seen so far has been highly inspiring, and I’m looking forward to seeing more work in the coming months!

See Wasteman at VAULT Festival Tue 14th Feb – Thu 16th Feb, more details here!

Author: Tom BaileyTom is a theatre maker and writer based in London, England. He covers news and interviews for Theatre Bubble.
T: Twitter F: Facebook

Filed Under: Featured, Interviews Tagged With: Joe Leather, The Vaults, Vault Festival, VAULT Festival 2023, wasteman

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam

We spoke to Richard Vergette, writer and performer of Leaving Vietnam. Richard plays a war veteran who feels ignored and [Read More]

Review / The Journey To Venice at the Finborough Theatre

Bjorg Vik’s play The Journey To Venice is a delightful production, entertaining yet full of pathos. A play with a [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Tzarini Meyler talks KITES at VAULT Festival

We spoke to Artistic Director of LipZinc Theatre, writer and performer Tzarini Meyler about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Naomi Westerman talks BATMAN (aka Naomi’s Death Show)

We spoke to writer and performer Naomi Westerman from Little But Fierce about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival Can [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 

From New Perspectives, The Swearing Jar is a comedy about love, heartbreak, living with the past and accepting the future. We spoke to director Angharad [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam
  • Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Spotlight On: Mischief Theatre
  • Art of Believing at The Space
  • The Donmar Warehouse's Julius Caesar at the King's Cross Theatre
  • Tom Bailey
    Editor

  • February 6th, 2023
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!