How to Flirt: The TED XXX Talk Theatre & Performing Arts

May's one-person show examines gender binaries, toxic masculinity – and how to spoon.

Want to learn how to be the ultimate ladies man? How do you get to the next base? Don’t panic – iPod DJ and self-taught feminist Steve has got you covered. Steve’s heart is in the right place. He is doing his absolute best. However, his naïve outlook can be problematic. The audience is taken on a journey full of heart, drag and utter silliness as Steve learns what is okay and what absolutely isn’t.

This totally silly and totally poignant one-person drag show asks what kind of behaviour we accept – in public and in private. How to Flirt encourages the audience to think about who or what you have modelled your behaviour on, examining upbringing and gender binaries all through the hilarious lens of Steve’s TED XXX Talk. Ultimately the show is a proclamation of vulnerability, consent and self-love.

Creator and performer Daisy Doris May won Europe’s biggest Drag King contest, Man Up, in 2022, just a couple of years after becoming a Drag King over lockdown. How to Flirt: The TED XXX Talk is directed by Mpilo May, produced by Häus of Dons and features sound design by Ben Hood.

Director Mpilo May comments, I can’t think of a better and more fun way to learn how to flirt than in a room with Steve Porters. As we breakdown the gender binary in our society, we need to re-examine how we relate to each other, learn how to communicate respectfully and perhaps change our approach to flirting. Directing Daisy/Steve in this one-person show has exposed my blind spots and has inspired me to press the refresh button on what I understand as socially acceptable behaviour.

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