Backstage at Midsumma with Cassidy Cogin | Disco is Dead!
- TW
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
In today's Backstage at Midsumma, we sat down with Cassidy Cogin, co-writer and director of DISCO IS DEAD!, the campy cannibal comedy coming to Explosives Factory next week as a part of our Midsumma Festival Hub lineup.
After attempting a comeback, Freddy and the Four- a once successful disco boyband, reluctantly await reviews for their latest song. But, someone, or something, nefarious lurks outside the safety of their greenroom, threatening to end disco for good. When a rabid fan breaks into the boy's bubble, the group must band together (literally) to survive the night, and save disco. That is, if they don’t kill each other first. DISCO IS DEAD! is a drag king comedy about brotherhood, bromance and bro-tein shakes. Also, there's cannibalism.
Q: Take us back to the start. When did this show first drop into your head? How did it get to where it is now?
The concept of Disco is Dead came about over a tipsy conversation. I was talking about my love for 70’s disco, and Millie, my cowriter, was discussing wanting to try out drag. And then it hit us! A drag king show, set in the 70’s. We wanted to create something that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but embodied a core message of togetherness. In the last couple years there has been overwhelming coverage on “the male loneliness epidemic”. We wanted to emphasise the importance of brotherhood- and what better way than a dysfunctional boyband!
Q: What will people find in your show that they won't find anywhere else in Midsumma?
Sexy sweaty silliness. The show is a love letter to 70’s homoeroticism- the costumes, the music, the vibes. If you’re looking for an hour of camp comedy, this show is the one for you.
Q: What will surprise audiences about this work?
I think people will be surprised at how the chaos unfolds, and how the play concludes. We start off arguing about disco vs rock, the positions of the boys within the band, and just general meaningless BS… and end up in a battle to stay alive. How the boys work together, or, how they don’t- is where the real fun lies.
Q: You're on a blind date. Nervously, you walk into the bar. Across the smoke and pool tables you see them - there they are. Your exact target audience member, personified. Can you describe them?
If no one leaves the show questioning their sexuality, I have failed as a director. Our ideal audience member is someone ready to boogie, ready to giggle, and ready to have their world rocked by a bunch of dick shaking losers. The show is for everyone- those who remember the disco scene of the 70’s, and those going in completely blind. We want people who don’t take themselves too seriously, unironically believe The BeeGees are one the greatest bands of all time, and are perhaps a little intoxicated. And for the low low price of $32 (concession)- this could be you!
Q: What has been the most memorable moment in the process so far?
The whole rehearsal period has been a total blast. Every single actor has brought their own charm and rhythm to the characters, and getting to see the band jump off of the page has been unlike anything else (yes, tears have already been shed- all happy ones I promise!) In particular, there is a scene in the play where Freddy spells out the word “disco”. During rehearsals, however, we’ve discovered that not a single one of us knows how to spell… so it’s been difficult to get through a run without at least one of us bursting out laughing.
DISCO IS DEAD! plays 3-7 February at Explosives Factory, in the final week of our Midsumma Festival Hub lineup.
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