Festival Comedy

Plastic fantastic Picture a ruder version of Dame Edna and you have Dixie Longate. Anna Millar chats to the Tupperware queen about her cosy relationship with the law

D ixie Longate is not your average type of gal. She may be a street-smart, fast- talking belle these days, but life hasn’t always been so easy. Having thrown off the shackles of her trailer park existence back in 2001, a life of travelling the world to sell food storage solutions became her reason to live. ‘It was the idea of my parole officer,’ she says in her Alabama drawl. ‘I needed a job in order to get my kids back.’ Eight years on, with the odd felony along the way, and she’s bringing Dixie’s Tupperware Party to this year’s Fringe.

The inspiration to serve her loyal following of plastic lovers was, she concedes, there all along. ‘I had a great momma who taught me to know the difference between right and wrong and how to make sure that I didn’t get caught when I was having so much fun doing the wrong stuff. Look, I have had some run-ins with the law. Hell, who hasn’t? But the important thing is I’ve always made friends with the police officers that put me away. To serve and protect, as we say in America. And let me assure you, I do plenty of “serving”, so that they “protect” me.’ With a set harking back to the golden days of the 50s and a stack of double entendres primed and ready, audiences should expect more of a party than a play. Dixie merrily admits that from night to night it’s a moveable feast, with her acerbic wit and fast-talking sales pitch changing

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‘WHAT PILL WERE THEY SMOKING WHEN THEY CAME UP WITH THAT?’

depending on her mood. One thing that remains the same is her fashion, which was lovingly described by one critic as how ‘Little Bo Beep might look if she fell down Alice’s rabbit hole’. Dixie’s not so sure about the comparison. ‘Lord, what sort of pill were they smoking when they came up with that? I make my own clothes and I have that strong Southern sensibility, so maybe that is what they meant. I tease my hair up a spell every now and then, but other than that, I am just your regular butt-kicking, bar-hopping, gingham-wearing Tupperware lady.’ Dixie boasts of her rave reviews stateside in 2007 with a critically acclaimed run in New York and has enjoyed similar praise around the globe, but audiences take note: you will be made

to wear a name tag. ‘I love being able to talk to the people in the audience directly and getting them up to play games and ask questions. There is always a new crop of people sitting there annoying the crap out of me, and I have to somehow make sure they have a good time.’ One fan of the show suggested if you imagined Dame Edna as a raunchy Tupperware hostess who calls her audience hookers instead of possums you would get a better idea of what to expect. ‘I can’t wait to find out what Scotlandy people will need from me. I feel like I am an ambassador bringing nations together through unique and durable air-tight kitchen products. And I hear that people over in Scotland drink more beer than an average lesbian, so I am practically pooping my pants to see that.’

Dixie’s Tupperware Party, Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, 12–31 Aug (not 24), 7.35pm, £11.50–£12.50 (£10.50–£11.50). Preview 11 Aug, £6.

TASTE TEST Brian Donaldson picks five shows which dabble in the grubby territory of food

The Fudge Show Set in a genuine fudge shop on the Royal Mile, this show promises ‘two top stand-ups, free fudge for all, and a multimedia exploration of what it takes to be a top fudgeman. The Fudge Kitchen, 07841 194 222, 10–29 Aug (not 17), 8.45pm, £4.

Rudi Lickwood: Food for Thought ‘Harlesden’s no 1 comedian’ makes his Fringe debut having performed routines described as rolling out ‘like warm custard over Spotted Dick’. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 8–31 Aug (not 12, 19), 8.15pm, £11–£12 (£9.50–£10.50). Previews until 7 Aug, £6 Tom Corbett: Vampires and Volauvents Last year, this young comic chilled us with his take on Universal Horror. This time his show promises ‘stories and thoughts about obsession, tiny pastries and the undead’. Jekyll & Hyde, 225 2022, 6–30 Aug (not 10, 19&20, 24), 6.40pm, free.

Lemon Custard Not just a delicious fruit-based dessert, but a regular Edinburgh comedy night with upcoming comics and the odd starry name. Led by Dee Custance, it has been doing very well for itself, thanks. The White Horse, 226 0000, 8–29 Aug (not 11, 18, 25), 5.15pm, free.

Hardeep Singh Kohli: The Nearly Naked Chef We’ll ignore his recent wee bit of One Show bother and simply look forward to a sizzling show in which he cooks and chats for an adoring public. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 7–31 Aug (not 18), 7pm, £11–£12 (£10–£11).

22 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 6–13 Aug 2009