Drag queen Panti to deliver opening address

Irish drag queen Panti Bliss will give the welcome address to performers at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

In her 2016 Fringe show, High Heels In Low Places, Panti  – the stage name of performer Rory O’Neill – discussed her accidental ascension to international equality icon after speaking out about homophobia in the run up to the 2015 Irish referendum on same-sex marriage. 

‘Pantigate’ began after Rory accused some prominent figures of fostering an anti-gay attitude when he appeared on RTÉ’s The Saturday Night Show. The comment resulted in the broadcaster issuing an apology and paying €85,000 to those mentioned, who had threatened legal action.

O’Neill said: ‘I was delighted to be asked to give the Fringe Central Welcome Address this year, partly because I was pretty sure it would involve a free trip to Edinburgh, but mostly because it doesn't get any more fringe than me! 

‘And also, I owe Fringe, because it was Fringe that carved out a space where a performer like me could be taken seriously. It’s a beautiful thing to see artists from all over the world sharing their skill, passion and joy with their audiences and each other in Edinburgh. I hope to provide a little inspiration and a warm welcome to everyone taking part in this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.’

Fringe chief executive Shona McCarthy said: ‘Rory’s experience as a performer and as an advocate for the LGBT community are truly inspiring and embody the ethos of the Fringe as the largest platform for creative freedom of expression in the world.’

Last month Chortle reported how O’Neill  had sold the rights to his story to a TV production company, Playground, which is now working on a comedy-drama based on his memoirs.

The welcome address takes place at Fringe Central on Friday August 4, the first official day of the festival.

Published: 30 May 2017