Marm’s Spotlight

What happens when drag becomes a global phenomenon? Rolling off the back of the Drag Race lorry, armed with nothing but a RuPeter Badge and a fading memory of the Werk Room, Marmalade wades into the territory of post show “fame”, and is left wondering… Why did she do that? Why did she go on the show? What kind of impact does the show, one of that scale, have on local scenes and their? A show that doesn’t necessarily platform the drag she loves, and why doesn’t it? What kind of drag does she love? Does she still love her own drag? Why does she do it?

Welcome to Spotlight – a new venue designed, operated and built by Marmalade herself (it wasn’t, this is theatre), and her chance to explore these questions, pretend she has answers, and celebrate the drag and queer artists she loves. Development stages of this show were funded by Arts Council of Wales. Directed by Elan Isaac, with written material by Priya Hall, creative support by Leo Drayton, and produced by Daniel Huw Bowen on behalf of The Queer Emporium, Marm’s Spotlight is a newly created theatre show by star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and drag artist, Marmalade.

Cast Marmalade is a drag artist and seamstress, who taught herself to sew during the lockdown period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. She has made outfits for organisations including Frân Wen and National Eisteddfod Cymru, and is known for outfits made for contestants on the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise. Her sewing made her a Guinness World Record holder and her outfit, ‘Marmalade’s Marie Antoinette Drag Ensemble’, is on display as part of the Marie Antoinette Style exhibition at the V&A South Kensington until March 2026. In 2024, she competed on series six of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, placing in the top four. Since then she has performed at LGBTQ+ venues including The Clapham Grand, The Glee Club and Pride Cymru.

Supporting performers include Thistle Thing, a sharp-tongued high-glamour performer, and Unknown Amazon, bringing revolution era funk and proud afros.

Tickets: https://queeremporium.co.uk/products/marms-spotlight-leeds