The 4th Annual Gay AF Christmas Spectacular: the new queens of Christmas

3 Dec 2023 -
Photos by Andrew Lamb
Photo of El Toro by Connie Tsang

“I think our queer community needs laughter and joy more than ever this year,” says Robert Watson, the Gay AF Christmas Spectacular host and producer. “This special holi-gay event allows us the chance to gather with our chosen family, friends and allies to celebrate the season, but also all the things that make being queer so fabulous." While the Gay AF Christmas Spectacular features the stellar stand-up talents of Tamara Shevon, Dylan Mahaney, Mickey Dykeman and boylesque beauty El Toro, we settled for posing a few seasonal queries to Watson himself and his Christmas cohort Messy Margaret.

Drew Rowsome: Is Christmas, sometimes a tortuous time for gays, a good source for comic material?

Robert Watson: Well as any retail gay knows ‘tis the season to be absolutely used and abused. I worked retail for over a decade (in the cosmetics department, naturally) and I've got the scars and the jokes to prove it. Thankfully I also have fabulous skin from all the expensive face cream I sampled every day.

Messy Margaret: The only tortuous thing about Christmas is having to talk to that one uncle who still asks if you’ve found a lady! But you know, give me a good box of wine and I can talk to just about anyone. 

What is the gayest, most fabulous part of the GAY AF Christmas Spectacular? 

Robert Watson: Omg, there is so much queerness on display every year. I do love that everyone in the show has some fabulous costumes and outfits. I think the dirty holiday parody songs are always a highlight, and this year's songs are the naughtiest and gayest yet. 

Messy Margaret: Me! Nothing says Gay AF like a delusional drag queen.

What is the most heartwarming aspect of the GAY AF Christmas Spectacular?

Robert Watson: For me personally it's the fabulous queer audience that shows up every year. So many folks have told me they've made Gay AF Christmas Spectacular a yearly tradition and that just warms my jingle bells. 

Messy Margaret: Heartwarming? Are we making a Lifetime movie? Seriously, I would love a drag queen centered Lifetime holiday movie: Sashay, You Sleigh. But if I had to pick, I’d say it’s always heartwarming when the audiences doesn’t leave. 

What is your second favourite Christmas tradition after the GAY AF Christmas Spectacular? 

Robert Watson: My mother's super secret Scandinavian Gingerbread recipe is brought out every year to make the most delicious cookies. People have begged me to share the recipe, but all these years I've managed to keep my dear departed mother's cookies a coveted secret. In fact I've only given the recipe away once and that person is no longer living. That's a coincidence, by the way.

Messy Margaret: Family dinner and a casual box of wine by the fire.

Are there any Christmas traditions that are off limits for joking about? What are they? 

Messy Margaret: Honestly, this can be a very tough time of year for queer people. Many of us don’t have families to go home to where we are free to be who we are. I think that through comedy we can shed light of these issues, but it’s important to hold space for those who are struggling and to remind them that there is always a community of people who will love and accept them. I’ll always have space at the table for someone in need. 

Robert Watson: I don't know that anything is off limits in regards to Christmas traditions, but in general Gay AF Comedy has a "don't punch down" policy, we want everyone to have just the best gay ol' time at the show. 

Are you preparing special material for the holi-gay season? 

Robert Watson: You bet your candy canes we are! Messy Margaret is Gay AF's very own Queen of Christmas with some holiday numbers planned. Our holiday burlesque by El Toro will titillate your tinsel, and I've got lots of queer Christmas cheer up my sleeves that I can't wait to share. 

Messy Margaret: Messy always leans into a campy spin on what she does. I have a few fun ideas cooking. 

What is the policy on Christmas sweaters on audience members? 

Robert Watson: Okay this is a tangent, but we need to audition for a new Sexy Santa as our current one has retired to the North Pole and I don't know how long I can afford El Toro as they are on the road to superstardom. Audience members in Christmas sweaters is in fact encouraged, but I'd also like to meet audience members who would be willing to take off their sweater to be next year's Sexy Santa. Paid gig, no touching. Come find me. 

Messy Margaret: Yes, clothing is mandatory for this event. 

Are you Team Grinch or Team Santa? Why? 

Robert Watson: The Grinch loves to make a big scene and quite frankly so do I, so it's team Grinch for me. Post heart explosion of course, I'm a nice Grinch. 

Messy Margaret: Santa all the way. Who doesn’t love a daddy who lets you sit on his lap and tell him of all the things you want and then he actually listens and makes sure he leaves it for you as a wrapped gift under your Christmas tree. But I could do without having to feed him milk and cookies as a thank you. That’s a bit weird to be honest. 

Mariah Carey claims to be the Queen of Christmas because of one earworm that has more than worn out its welcome. How can the throne be claimed by a deserving queen? Who should that be?

Massy Margaret: Your tone seems very pointed. I will not participate in the defamation of the QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS! 

Robert Watson: I think Cher is lobbying hard this year to be our Queen of Christmas, bless her and her 36 year old boyfriend's hearts. But I think "Queen of Christmas" is more a state of mind as opposed to being just one person. If you relentlessly love everything about the holiday season you just might be a Queen of Christmas too. I know I'm one! 

Burlesque is a new addition to GAY AF. What would your Christmas burlesque performance consist of? 

Robert Watson: El Toro is gracing us with their presence this year and I couldn't be happier. Expect a nut-crackingly fabulous performance. If I personally were to do a holiday burlesque number it would be to "O Holy Night," and if I have to explain that to you you're probably not queer. 

Messy Margaret: I am also very curious to see how this plays out. I love a good burlesque moment, but I won’t subject the audience to a Messy burlesque number. 

What gift would you put in your fellow performers’ stockings? Would there be a special extra gift for your special guest El Toro? 

Robert Watson: From what I hear El Toro's stocking is already properly stuffed, but everyone will be getting a lovely gift bag that includes personal lubricant and a voucher for the local clinic. 

Messy Margaret: Why, they would each get their very own Messy Productions Canada tote bag and sticker. This prize is valued at $20 Canadian. I’m feeling very generous so I would probably also throw in a cheap bottle of Pinot Grigio. As for El Toro..they can have my heart. 

What gift would you give if you had limitless resources? 

Robert Watson: I'd buy Elon Musk a one way rocketship ticket to the centre of the universe, a place where he believes he already resides. Other than world peace I think that's a gift that the entire world would benefit from, n'est-ce pas? 

Messy Margaret: They would still get the tote bag and sticker, but I would throw in a bottle of Pinot from the vintage section. 

What gift will you actually be giving? 

Robert Watson: Is the gift of laughter too cheesy to give? We all need a little bit of escape from the troubled times we live in and queer joy is in my wheelhouse, so I hope bringing some levity to the season gives folks the chance to feel merry and bright. Oh, and we'll also be giving away personalized lubricant to the audience. It's going to be one slick show! 

Messy Margaret: We’re freelance artists, we were hoping that you would be supplying the gifts. 

Robert Watson: The Gay AF Christmas Spectacular is happening on two nights this year due to popular demand. Every year our Christmas Spectacular show has sold out at least a week in advance, and then I'd get literally dozens of messages from folks who want to come join the fun, so hopefully a second night gives more of our community the chance to have some holiday homo ho hos.