"Cross-"ing Comedy: Construction of a Gendered Persona in the Work of Eddie Izzard
Abstract
This paper examines the construction of personae in paratheatrical performances, ultimately examining the personae of British heterosexual transvestite stand-up comedian Eddie Izzard. The first chapter examines the concept of "gender," in particular its connection with dress and the transvestite lifestyle. The second section provides a summary of Philip Auslander's work in personae in relation to glam rock and stand-up comedy. The work of three performers (Andy Kaufmann, David Bowie, and Roseanne) are compared and contrasted through the relationship between their "personal identity," "performance persona," and "characters." The final chapter analyzes Izzard's Unrepeatable and Sexie performances, looking at the balance between masculine and feminine gender symbols present in his work. His earlier work is heavily marked by the presence of his heterosexual male identity, but as he becomes more comfortable with his own identity as a transvestite, more feminine gender symbols gain control in his work.
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