Trump L’Oeil(2022)
Offie Nominated – Sarah-Louise Hughes for Lead Performance in a Musical
“Deserves to be booked out every night ★★★★” – The Reviews Hub
“An absolute riot of colour and noise ★★★★” – Musical Theatre Review
Location: Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Dates: 7th Sept – 2nd Oct 2022
It’s 2016 in the USA, and things are all getting a little surreal…
As Trump ascends to power, the world flips on its head – which is great for some, hard for others, and for everyone, just a little surreal. Trump L’Oeil was a surrealist, musical exploration of Trump’s presidency, focusing on the tradition of tromp l’oeil (optical illusion). Blending elements of cabaret, queer theatre, and circus, with a wide range of musical influences from rap to bubblegum pop, this show is a tongue-in-cheek retelling of the Trump years, and an attempt to understand how we move forward.
Inspired by Escher’s stairwell, Magritte’s apples, Dali’s melting clocks and fresh out of its 2020 New York performance, Trump L’Oeil was cheeky, challenging, and a lot of fun.
Director Oli Savage said: “For people in the English-speaking world, especially outside the USA – the Trump administration was one of the most horrifically surreal periods in modern political history. And the scars from that period are far from healed. But nothing heals like laughter. With this show, we’re taking a blend of satire, drag, circus, cabaret and a healthy dollop of surrealist art to show just how crazy that period was. But more than that, we’re trying to have fun. And by taking the piss out of a very, very dark time, we’re trying to create a sense of joy, amusement, and hope.“