Mr Brake Down

Mr Brake Down Drag King singer, entertainer, comedian and host. Cheshire, UK. Have drag, will travel!

01/10/2024

🚨New Show
The Upside Down Cabaret Presents:
DICK! (Whittington):A Big Gay Pantomime for Adults

Doors 7:30pm, Show 8:00pm
December 17th, 18th, 19th
Advance Booking Only, Tickets £15

Group discounts and hospitality packages are available for groups of eight or more, discuss directly with our lovely venue to book your bespoke night out!

Hold onto your knickers, darlings, because The Upside Down Cabaret is bringing you a pantomime like no other this Christmas season! Presenting... DICK! (Whittington) – A Big Gay Pantomime for Adults!

Written by the sauciest queen of them all, Miss Cherry Good, and directed by our host with the most, the utterly fabulous Mr Brake Down – this is pantomime, but not as you know it!

Dick Whittington has gone missing, and the hunt is on! Led by the one and only fairy fatale, Miss Kitty De Vyne, you'll meet a side-splitting sidekick (Rachel Fox), a stunning princess (Miss Hertz), a larger-than-life dame (Miss Cherry Good), and a villain who's wicked in all the right ways (Mr Brake Down).

Expect naughty jokes, outrageous songs, and pure pantomime pandemonium as they all search for... well, DICK!

So come one, come all – if you're old enough to know better, this is the night for you!

Book your tickets now, before Dick disappears for good! at www.theliverooms.com

Don't miss your monthly dose of cabaret chaos!
17/09/2024

Don't miss your monthly dose of cabaret chaos!

Don't have E4 or catch up? No problem! You can now catch a condensed version of my clothing makeover on YouTube! And be ...
27/08/2024

Don't have E4 or catch up? No problem! You can now catch a condensed version of my clothing makeover on YouTube! And be sure to leave a nice comment whilst you're there

‘I have no idea where to start’ Hosted by Vicky Pattison, Second Hand Showdown two fearless stylists, Joey Bevan and Sabrina Grant give a fresh new look to o...

Post-Fringe haircut. Saying bye bye to the Waits curls for now!
26/08/2024

Post-Fringe haircut. Saying bye bye to the Waits curls for now!

I've already seen a whole bunch of people on Facebook today sh**ting on Pride saying it's not necessary, it's ruining th...
18/08/2024

I've already seen a whole bunch of people on Facebook today sh**ting on Pride saying it's not necessary, it's ruining the city, it's brainwashing kids, it's blah blah BLAH.
You know why we still need Pride? Because people like THAT still think it's okay to shoot their mouths off about our existence.

My mother took this picture of me after the parade yesterday because she loves her q***r trans son. Because she is proud of me, and proud to be part of a supportive and loving community that accepts everyone for who they are, who they love, and what they do to bring joy to their lives.

Pride is for everyone to come together under the rainbow. If you don't feel included at Pride, you might want to take a look at what's going on inside yourself before you blame it on us that you're offended. Because hate that springs from seeing the joy of others is a you problem, not an us problem. We're going to carry on living our joyful lives and celebrating inclusivity, and we'll be here to welcome you with support and love when you've figured out your damage.

"Fine homage to a growling icon""Brake Down has more or less nailed the voice, going all in on the gravel-throated singe...
06/08/2024

"Fine homage to a growling icon"

"Brake Down has more or less nailed the voice, going all in on the gravel-throated singer and sounding like he’s dragging each note out of the junkyard"

The first professional review is in! A solid three stars from The List, and from a reviewer who is particularly scathing sometimes, so I'm delighted he enjoyed it enough not to one star me 😂 At the point where I can afford a live band and a timeslot long enough for a storyline, I do hope to climb in his estimation. It's all a great learning curve for what I can build on next year!

I could just cry with joy, honestly. I cannot believe I'm only 4 shows in and this is the impact and response. It's take...
06/08/2024

I could just cry with joy, honestly.
I cannot believe I'm only 4 shows in and this is the impact and response. It's taken three years of honing my craft and becoming totally in harmony with myself to achieve what I do now. I was already so proud of what I've produced, but to see it fed back to me by my audience means more than I could ever express. Thank you for being on this journey with me.

LAST 24 HOURS 👀👀👀Just popping in to say my Fringe fundraiser has just 24 hours left on it. We hit the initial goal, and ...
05/08/2024

LAST 24 HOURS 👀👀👀

Just popping in to say my Fringe fundraiser has just 24 hours left on it. We hit the initial goal, and I'd love to say thank you so much to everyone who's supported it so far 🫶🫶🫶 And you all know how expenses rack up, so if anyone else wants to show support and donate before it closes, every single penny helps me here, and in the interim between getting paid out for my shows and scrabbling to get back to reality when I'm home 😅

Mr. Brake Down is back for 2024 with the return of his bluesy boozy Tom Waits tribute show, and he needs your support to make it!

I'm two shows in, and overwhelmed with the response of these incredibly positive audience reviews from new friends, old ...
04/08/2024

I'm two shows in, and overwhelmed with the response of these incredibly positive audience reviews from new friends, old friends and colleagues in the arts. Professional media reviews are just around the corner too, but this is the reason I do what I do: to share this feeling with others 🫶

Why yes, I am walking around in a t-shirt with my own face on it, thank you for noticing!
01/08/2024

Why yes, I am walking around in a t-shirt with my own face on it, thank you for noticing!

Well I'm en route to Edinburgh! Thank you so so much to everyone who turned out last night for an amazing farewell show,...
29/07/2024

Well I'm en route to Edinburgh! Thank you so so much to everyone who turned out last night for an amazing farewell show, and thank you for your amazing donations and warm energy!

If you couldn't make it to the fundraisers and would still like to donate, my online crowdfunder is 84% complete and has about another week before it closes!

https://crowdfund.edfringe.com/p/doom-and-glitter-2024/

✨🎶 Doom & Glitter: A Tribute To Tom Waits has grown so much, and I couldn't be more grateful for the support along the w...
25/07/2024

✨🎶 Doom & Glitter: A Tribute To Tom Waits has grown so much, and I couldn't be more grateful for the support along the way. 🎶✨

From its humble beginnings to becoming a beloved little niche in the Fringe that people love to return to, this show has evolved in ways I never imagined. I am incredibly lucky to have the support of Keep It Fringe for the second year in a row, helping me bring this unique cabaret to life. The cost of running shows at the Fringe is prohibitive at best, so grants and fundraising gigs are more important than ever in getting artists from marginalized and lower-income backgrounds up to those stages to strut our stuff. 🌟❤️

Join me from August 2nd to August 15th (not 11th) at Paradise Green's Snug for an intimate and highly enjoyable show. Let's continue to push the boundaries of drag and celebrate the wonderful world of Tom Waits together! 🎤💫

Thank you for all the love and support—here's to another fantastic Fringe experience! 🙌

Photo credit:

🌟🎶 Doom & Glitter: A Tribute To Tom Waits 🎶🌟I'm so excited to be returning for a third year with my laid-back cabaret ho...
25/07/2024

🌟🎶 Doom & Glitter: A Tribute To Tom Waits 🎶🌟

I'm so excited to be returning for a third year with my laid-back cabaret hour filled with vocal impersonations, live singing, and bluesy banter as I once again pay tribute to the iconic Tom Waits. This gloriously odd and experimental show takes you on a musical journey through some of Waits's seminal works, exploring just how much a drag king from South Wales can have in common with the California-born performer. I'm in a whole new venue with some brand new adaptations and exciting new tracks, with a full 60 minutes of outrageous tambourine antics and the iconic gravel-toned singing and storytelling that any Waits show can't be without. 🎤✨

📅 Dates: August 2nd - August 15th (not 11th)
📍 Venue: Paradise Green, The Snug
🕒 Time: Preview 9pm 2nd Aug, all other dates 8:45pm

Don't miss out on this highly enjoyable and bemusing show that must be seen to be believed! Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable experience. 🎟️💫

Photo credit:

As a disabled and trans drag king, writer, host, and singer, I'm thrilled to bring Doom & Glitter: A Tribute To Tom Wait...
25/07/2024

As a disabled and trans drag king, writer, host, and singer, I'm thrilled to bring Doom & Glitter: A Tribute To Tom Waits to the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe for its third iteration. This show is so much more than just a tribute act to me, it's a realization of dreams and a personal journey shared with you all, especially those who visit me year upon year and see the changes that happen in between.

Over the past year, my transition on testosterone has transformed my voice and performance more than ever before, making this year's show even more special as it comes to life in the way I always imagined it would. Through the bluesy banter and vocal impersonations, I aim to entertain crowds while unpicking those classically masculine stereotypes and giving a voice to trans perspectives along the way. 🎤✨

Join me at Paradise Green's Snug for an intimate and unique cabaret experience. Let's celebrate q***r artistry and the music that inspires both my professional and personal life. 🌟

Photo credit:

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24/07/2024

CANCELLATION ANNOUCEMENT

It is with a huge amount of sadness that I have to annouce that I'm cancelling today's gig at the lovely In Good Hands Music Cafe in Shrewsbury.

What should have been a simple outpatients surgical procedure a few days ago has resulted in unforeseen complications and I now have to cancel and pare back pretty much everything for several days in order to be fit and well for my big sendoff show and the trip to Edinburgh itself.

I'm gutted that I can't perform tonight and catch up with many lovely people that I know were planning to see me, as well as meeting new people from the Shrewsbury music scene 💚 I hope to rearrange the gig as a post-Fringe celebration and come to see you all later this year!

For anyone really keen to see the show, I'll still have my big fundraiser in Chester in 5 days time, which I am determined to be well for after all this fiasco, even if it kills me!
https://thatbeerplace.co.uk/event/mr-brake-down-doom-glitter-a-tribute-to-tom-waits/

And if anyone would still like to donate online to help my Edinburgh Fringe journey, the link is:
https://crowdfund.edfringe.com/p/doom-and-glitter-2024

Thank you all for your kindness and understanding in the situation 🫶

Brake / Kim

My Fringe Fundraiser is almost at £300, thank you so much to those who've donated already! Don't forget to drop your don...
20/07/2024

My Fringe Fundraiser is almost at £300, thank you so much to those who've donated already! Don't forget to drop your donations in:

Mr. Brake Down is back for 2024 with the return of his bluesy boozy Tom Waits tribute show, and he needs your support to make it!

Absolutely delighted to be co-hosting this stellar lineup for Chester Pride's Glitter Lounge this year!
18/07/2024

Absolutely delighted to be co-hosting this stellar lineup for Chester Pride's Glitter Lounge this year!

This photo comes from my rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Am What I Am’, which is a song I turn to whenever the subreddit...
10/07/2024

This photo comes from my rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Am What I Am’, which is a song I turn to whenever the subreddit trolls and anonymous keyboard warriors decide they’re allowed to tell what to do with my life. On the surface, it’s a glorious disco banger whilst I stamp around in my shiny suit, glowing with the bright smile of life and encouraging celebration. But the undercurrent is a protest wrapped in glitter, and a proud proclamation of ‘what I am needs no excuses’.

We owe nothing to those who are determined to misinterpret and misunderstand us, and we owe no explanation to those who aren’t even willing to try and understand us. I spend a lot of time online talking about my work, because I want to promote my stories, my message and my creative work in its many forms. I also spend a lot of time talking about my transition, because I want to be a visible source of positive affirmation for trans men of all ages, to provide the representation that I didn’t see as a youngster, that definitely stunted my development and sent me into denial that the life I wanted for myself would never be possible.

As a trans person, out and proud, performing and giving parts of my story to the stage, the phrase ‘I am my own special creation’ means more than ever, buried in the beats of a Gaynor banger for the ages. If I’m guarded about the rest of my life outside of my work and my journey, it’s because the world is stacked against my community right now, and we have a lot to lose. But if you want to know me, see me on stage. That’s where I always open my heart up most.

Gig

Photo credit .photo

***rperformer ***rman

Address

Chester

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