The 'Queen of Ireland' Panti Bliss is packing her frocks and coming to New Zealand for the very first time this February as part of the Auckland Pride Festival with her record-breaking, smash-hit comedy If These Wigs Could Talk.
Drag can take many forms—a dazzling cabaret, a comedy routine, an interactive game show—but If These Wigs Could Talk is something else entirely. It is a deeply personal, often hilarious, and unexpectedly urgent piece of storytelling from one of the most iconic figures in Irish queer history, Panti Bliss.
Known as the 'Queen of Ireland,' Panti has spent decades in the spotlight, navigating a world that has drastically shifted around her. Born in a time when queerness was criminalised in Ireland, she has watched the LGBTQ+ community go from an underground presence to a celebrated part of mainstream culture. In this one-woman show, she takes audiences on a journey through that transformation—from rural Ireland to the global stage—while asking an important question: What does drag mean in a world where queer people are no longer forced to exist in the shadows?
At 56, Panti finds herself in a reflective mood. For much of her life, drag was an act of defiance, a statement against repression, and a way to fight back. But now, with queer culture featured on television, in advertising, and across social media, the need for that defiance feels less clear—or does it? As the performance unfolds, the answer becomes increasingly obvious. Despite progress in many parts of the world, there is a growing backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Hard-fought freedoms are being chipped away, and forces of conservatism and extremism are pushing back against equality.
The show begins in familiar territory—witty, charming, and full of Panti’s signature razor-sharp humour. She recounts her early years in Ireland, a country where, until she was 25, being openly queer was illegal. She talks about navigating life in a world that viewed people like her as outlaws and about the journey of self-discovery that took her from the quiet corners of Mayo to the pulsating heart of London’s nightlife. The anecdotes flow seamlessly, delivered with a mix of theatrical flourish and casual intimacy, as if she were holding court at a lively dinner party.
But as the show progresses, it becomes clear that this is not just a nostalgic trip through Panti’s past. This is history—personal and political—woven together into a single story of transformation, both for an individual and for society at large. She speaks about the highs, like the historic 2015 Irish marriage equality referendum, which saw Ireland become the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. But she also acknowledges the lows, the moments when progress felt like it would never come, and the reality that rights can be taken away just as quickly as they are granted.
And then, If These Wigs Could Talk takes a turn. The warm glow of reminiscing gives way to a sharper, more urgent tone. Panti brings the conversation into the present, pointing out that the same battles she and others fought decades ago are re-emerging in new, insidious forms. Across the world, reactionary politics are gaining traction. LGBTQ+ rights, once thought to be settled victories, are being rolled back in places like the United States, Hungary, and parts of the Middle East. The rise of authoritarianism, religious extremism, and anti-queer rhetoric threatens to undo decades of progress.
This is where If These Wigs Could Talk shifts from a history lesson to a rallying cry. What starts as a nostalgic and humorous reflection on the past evolves into a powerful call to action. Panti reminds us that history is not linear—progress can be undone. While some might have believed that the fight for equality was won, she argues that complacency is dangerous. The resurgence of political and religious conservatism in places like the United States and parts of Europe threatens to undo decades of progress, and she makes it clear that sitting on the sidelines is not an option.
Her words land with weight. There is an urgency in her voice, a passion that makes it impossible not to be moved. And the audience responds. The laughter, so frequent in the first half, now shares space with nods of agreement, murmurs of recognition, and moments of stunned silence. Panti is not just telling a story; she is issuing a challenge. To those who have benefited from the progress of the past decades, she asks: What are you doing to protect it?
For an hour and ten minutes, Panti commands the stage with her signature blend of sharp humour and undeniable charisma. She weaves personal anecdotes with cultural commentary, keeping the audience entertained while delivering a sobering message. The performance is seamless, effortlessly shifting from laugh-out-loud moments to poignant reflections. The crowd is drawn in not just by the humour, but by the weight of what she is saying—this is not just a story about drag; it is about the fragile nature of rights and freedoms.
The beauty of If These Wigs Could Talk lies in its ability to balance humour with gravity. Panti is a natural storyteller, and she knows exactly when to lean into a joke and when to let a moment linger. Even in the heaviest parts of the show, there is always a spark of wit, a reminder that resistance can be joyful, that laughter itself can be an act of defiance.
As the performance reaches its conclusion, Panti delivers her final thoughts with conviction. There is no room for passivity in times like these. The fight is not over, and if people do not stand up against the forces of regression, then hard-won freedoms will be lost. It is a sobering message, but also an empowering one. The audience leaves not just entertained but emboldened, reminded that they have a role to play in shaping the world around them.
It is rare to leave a theatre feeling both uplifted and galvanised, but If These Wigs Could Talk achieves exactly that. Panti Bliss does not just put on a show—she creates an experience that is entertaining, thought-provoking, and, above all, necessary. This is not just a performance—it is a call to arms, delivered with style, wit, and just the right amount of glitter.
Pant Bliss' season of If These Wigs Could Talk runs from 19 Feb - 23 Feb 2025 at the Auckland Civic's Wintergarden. Tickets can be purchased here.
Runtime: 70 minutes, no interval
Recommended for ages 16+
Accessible seating available