
Drag King legend Daisy Doris May is currently wowing audiences in an acclaimed performance as the character Steve Porters at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The solo comedy drag show breaks conventions and offers a witty insight into themes such as gender, identity, and toxic masculinity.
Daisy is a wonderfully versatile performer. Actor, writer, director, and voice narrator extraordinaire for Disney and DreamWorks, as well as the new series of First Dates has many strings to her bow.
Over The Shoulder was lucky to get the opportunity to ask Daisy about their journey, current one person show, The Ted XXX Talk and their future plans.
You have just finished a 2-night run as Drag King persona Steve Porters, before you start a one person run at the Edinburgh Fringe. How did the act go and will you be making any changes for Edinburgh?
Before those previews I’ve just been doing the show to my director (and husband) Mpilo May… in our rehearsal room (our living room…!) So, to present the show with a live audience is really where the magic starts. The show will change and evolve for the next month for sure!

How did you come up with the idea for the character Steve Porters?
Steve is a lockdown baby. I had created the character for a Drag Stag and Hen Do in
Blackpool… then he made an appearance at a House of Dinosaur family dinner…but it was only when I was living on my own with months of no distractions and pure creativity to survive going mad that spent time with Steve (and created HÄNS OFF)
Steve is based on the boys I grew up with in Guildford… I’ve been told everyone either knows a Steve, has been out with a Steve or maybe WAS a Steve at one point!
You explore an array of themes such as identity, gender and masculinity and combine them with comedy, dance, and audience participation. How hard was it to write and combine all these elements?
Audience participation is my safe and happy place because I come from a background of festivals and interactive play. I love that with Steve I can explore attributes I’d love to see more of in ‘masculinity’ – for example, his ability to be vulnerable and express his feelings.
Dancing always makes me happy. As myself I love salsa, with HÄNS I get to express my voguing background and with Steve I have just started to learn shuffle. Respect to the shuffle community… it’s hard!!!
After I’ve had time to explore and play, I can then hone in what I want the message to be and what’s most relevant for the time. It’s challenging to crystallise my thoughts and combine all these elements but that’s part of the creative process for me and part of the fun.
You began your journey at ArtsEd in West London. Was it daunting moving here and what did you learn at performing arts college?
ArtsEd was everything BUT daunting. At the auditions I immediately felt that it was a down to earth feel and have made friends for life.
I think before Drama School however, there were a lot of feelings of fear. If anyone is thinking of this step I would 100% back them. You learn a lot of different life skills such as confidence and public speaking at drama school.
How did your love for writing and performing begin and which of these two disciplines do you enjoy most?
In all honestly, I realised that in order to play characters that I found exciting, I sometimes had to create them myself. I wish someone told me how essential it is to create your own work back at Drama School.
Don’t get me wrong, I love acting and performing but writing brings me so much joy. The challenge is you have to structure that time in yourself, but the bonus is you can work anytime and anywhere that suits you…

In 2022, you won Europe’s biggest Drag King competition, Man Up. When did the seed of performing drag start and how did it evolve?
I first saw a drag king show in a basement bar in Soho – Adam All and Romeo De La Cruz blew my mind and then I met Frankie Sinatra at the bar who has since become my drag uncle. It would be fair to say I fell in love with the art form and have been doing drag since.
After creating the characters in lockdown, it was TERRIFYING performing them live rather than just filming sketches. I signed up to Man Up as a challenge and because every Man Up night brings absolute vibes!!! It really is a celebration more than a competition. I feel so proud to be part of the Man Up journey.
You have worked in Theatre, TV, Cabaret and Film. How do they compare? Do you use different techniques?
I think working in the theatre gave me confidence in the cabaret world…
In terms of projecting and learning lines. I love when you do a play, you’re with the same cast for months on end whereas with cabaret its often a one-off extravaganza and always a treat when you bump into the certain drag creatures! It’s a world that continues to explode my mind and the stamina needed is quite high!
A really interesting facet of your career is doing voiceovers. Do you enjoy it and is it challenging to perform in isolation, which is often the case with voiceovers?
When I was 19 and 23, I had a voice operation which left me as a mute. I’ve always sounded like Phil Mitchell so entering the Voice Over world has been extra special for me… making a career out of something that was initially quite traumatic.
Fave job currently is being the voice of First Dates … especially as my best mate went on it and I got to narrate her date!! Dream gig!

Back to How to Mate: The Ted XXX Talk. Did you take inspiration from people you know to create Steve Porters?
Absolutely. He is a creation of many men (boys) I knew from Guildford. There are also, elements of myself in Steve. Like me, Steve has made mistakes but is always willing to learn from them.
You must be very excited about the Edinburgh Fringe. What are the dates, and can you give us a few hints of what to except?
I’m ABSOLUTELY terrified. You need MAD STAMINA for the fringe and so I am aware I am going to have to pace myself and learn to say NO a bit more to doing extra shows every day… getting out of Steve into HÄNS, socialising and watching other shows… all of it!
If you haven’t been before I would say expect constant distractions. For me it’s fully overwhelming but one of the best experiences I’ve had.
Is this the end of the road for Mr Porters or do you have plans for him?
I wonder how long Steve will be with me… I would love to see him finally get into a relationship, become a dad and grow into new challenges and eras as I do!!
I’m in conversations with some exciting peeps about his mockumentary so watch this space!!
Steve Porter will be at the Assembly Roxy until the 24th of August, so be sure to grab your ticket while you still can. It is a performance you will never forget.
It was a privilege to speak to Daisy and Over The Shoulder can’t wait to find out what the future holds for this truly inspirational force of nature.
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