Directed by Cody Stickels and produced by Chelsea Moore, "A Night at Switch n' Play" (2019) offers a unique and intimate glimpse into the world of Brooklyn's long-standing drag and burlesque collective, Switch n' Play. With a runtime of just over an hour, the documentary unfolds as an immersive exploration of gender expression, performance art, and the vibrant community of queer artists that have made the collective a standout feature of the city's nightlife. This documentary, which captures both on-stage performances and candid behind-the-scenes interviews, celebrates the power of drag as an act of defiance, personal expression, and radical joy.
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Founded in 2006, Switch n' Play emerged as an inclusive and experimental space for performers to explore and express their gender identities through the transformative art of drag. Set against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s Branded Saloon, the collective has become a cornerstone of queer performance, drawing an audience that thrives on artistic expression outside the confines of mainstream expectations. Through its raw and unapologetic approach, Switch n' Play defies typical depictions of drag culture, offering a platform for both drag kings and queens, as well as non-binary and gender-nonconforming performers. The group thrives on pushing boundaries, unafraid to subvert traditional notions of gender, beauty, and sexuality. The performers’ interactions and performances blend burlesque, drag, and live art to create a tantalizing and unfiltered portrayal of gender in flux. Stickels' documentary follows this collective on a regular night at the Branded Saloon, where they perform their acts for a primarily queer audience. The film uses the performances as a framework for introducing the collective’s seven core members, each of whom is given a chance to showcase their individuality, their drag personas, and the unique perspectives they bring to the collective.
The documentary showcases a diverse and dynamic array of talent, each with their distinct artistic approach and persona. The performers include: - Miss Malice (she/her): Serving as both the emcee and a performer, Miss Malice exudes high-femme energy and is known for her charisma and larger-than-life persona. Her performance style mixes wit, sensuality, and a sense of comedic absurdity. - Zoe Ziegfeld (she/her/they/them): Ziegfeld reinterprets traditional female sexuality by embracing her natural body hair as part of her performance. She brings an edge to her performances, challenging the conventional standards of beauty while expressing a liberated version of femininity. - Vigor Mortis (he/him): A drag king who dismantles traditional concepts of masculinity, Mortis combines strength with vulnerability, creating a dynamic and emotionally complex portrayal of masculinity. - Nyx Nocturne (they/them):
Known for their dark and macabre aesthetic, Nocturne’s performances blur the lines between horror and joy, creating an unsettling yet captivating presence that challenges audience perceptions of beauty and monstrosity. - Divina GranSparkle (she/her): With a flair for the grotesque and the whimsical, GranSparkle combines humor and shock value in her performances. She is known for pushing the boundaries of what is expected in drag performance, sometimes blending absurdity with poignancy. - Pearl Harbor (they/them): An embodiment of sensuality, Pearl Harbor performs drag through a non-binary lens, highlighting a delicate balance between elegance and raw, primal energy. - K. James (he/him): A drag king whose virility is tempered by an aversion to toxic masculinity, K. James’ performances explore the spectrum of masculinity in a way that embraces both strength and tenderness.
The documentary takes place primarily at the Branded Saloon in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, a venue where Switch n' Play regularly holds their performances. For the performers, the saloon is much more than just a stage; it’s a safe space where they can experiment with their identities, explore gender expression, and interact with an audience that shares in their commitment to self-expression. Here, there are no moral judgments or societal constraints, just a raw and welcoming space for performance. At its core, the documentary is about the collective's identity as a found family. Through interviews and candid moments between performances, we see the members’ connections with one another and how the collective has become a space where they can unapologetically be themselves. The sense of belonging is palpable, and it underscores the power of queer spaces to offer support, validation, and acceptance. The documentary’s approach to showcasing both the performances and the performers’ personal stories gives viewers a rare look into the world of queer art. While the film does not dwell too heavily on the private lives of its subjects, it allows them to express themselves freely, offering glimpses into the challenges and triumphs that come with being part of this community.
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One of the standout features of "A Night at Switch n' Play" is its exploration of identity, particularly within the context of gender. The performers of Switch n' Play do not conform to traditional gender norms or expectations; rather, they create and embody their own versions of gender through their performances. The collective’s drag is subversive and ever-evolving, challenging both the audience’s and the performers' perceptions of gender, beauty, and sexuality. The diversity of drag styles within the group is striking. Some performers embrace and amplify their femininity, others explore masculinity in new and non-toxic ways, while others reject the binary altogether, embracing a more fluid approach to their gender expression. This diversity highlights the transformative power of drag and its ability to allow individuals to construct their own identities, free from societal constraints. As the documentary unfolds, it becomes clear that Switch n' Play is not just about the performances - it is about reclaiming power through self-expression. It is about breaking down the walls that society has built around gender and sexuality and creating a space where these barriers can be joyfully dismantled. The act of performing becomes a way for the collective members to embody their identities and assert their right to exist authentically.
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"A Night at Switch n' Play" premiered at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival in Toronto on June 1, 2019, and later had its New York City debut at NewFest in October 2019. The film’s reception was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its sensitivity, humor, and celebration of queer identity. The film went on to win several awards, including the Audience Award for Best Documentary at NewFest, Best Ensemble Performance at the Fargo-Moorhead LGBT Film Festival, and Best Feature Film at the Trans Stellar Film Festival. The documentary's critical acclaim was fueled by its ability to capture the raw energy and authenticity of the collective, as well as its focus on creating a space where drag and burlesque could exist without the constraints of commercial or mainstream expectations. Critics like Jude Dry of IndieWire hailed the film as a joyful and tantalizing exploration of queer performance, while AM New York Metro lauded its emphasis on creating safe spaces for queer exploration. While the documentary does not rely on groundbreaking cinematic techniques, its simplicity allows the powerful performances and personalities of the Switch n' Play members to shine through. The film may not be revolutionary in terms of its filmmaking style, but its celebration of queer culture, identity, and the art of drag makes it a vital contribution to LGBT representation in cinema.
"A Night at Switch n' Play" is not just a documentary about drag and burlesque - it is an ode to the queer community, to the courage it takes to perform one's identity, and to the transformative power of art. Through its portrayal of the Switch n' Play collective, the film invites audiences into a world where gender is fluid, identity is malleable, and joy is a revolutionary act. In an era where LGBT stories are often told through the lens of tragedy or struggle, "A Night at Switch n' Play" offers a refreshing and much-needed celebration of queer life and the beauty of living authentically. Whether you are a longtime fan of drag or new to the scene, the film offers a glimpse into a world where performance is not just entertainment - it is a way of existing, of being seen, and of finding family in the most unexpected places.
Image credits: YouTube
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