Studio Seated | Doors 7:45pm | Start time 8pm
Trans Pride Hastings and Giddy Up present the full-length performance of TESTO by Wet Mess, followed by The Afters Lounge – a special late-night bar just for Trans Pride, where we can hang out, have a drink and enjoy some tantalising after-hours entertainment.
TESTO is the fever dream from drag icon and genderpunk shapeshifter Wet Mess – a chaotic, sweaty, hilarious and moving ride through transitions, testosterone and the blurry edges of drag.
Somewhere between character and self, performance and reality, Wet Mess pulls us into a world of moustache meals, desktop dreams, dykey desires and underwhelming overwhelm. Where the magical is in the mundane, and made-up shit becomes very, very real. “Wet Mess shows are not only thrilling and wild, but somehow sweet and life-enhancing.” (The Guardian).
Then the party continues upstairs at The Afters Lounge, a brand new speakeasy bar with feathers and rhinestones from cabaret favourite Nyongbella.
While this event is part of Trans Pride Hastings, everyone is invited – LGBTQ+ folks and allies, come through (and if you can, please buy a Pay It Forward ticket to support your Trans community).
Evening Rundown
Main House opens at 6:30pm
Doors for TESTO in the Studio open at 7.45pm
TESTO from 8.00 – 9.00pm
The Afters Lounge bar with performance from Nyongbella upstairs from 9.00pm – Midnight
Limited Income Tickets: Pay What You Can tickets and complimentary tickets for LGBTQIA+ folks with limited income are available via the Trans Pride Hastings website https://transpridehastings.uk/
Access Information: Testo by Wet Mess will have a BSL interpreter and is for audiences 18+. The venue has step-free access, an accessible toilet and a clearly marked gender-neutral toilet. This is a relaxed performance – movement, noise and coming and going are all totally fine.
Content Notice: TESTO contains strobe lighting, haze and moments of complete darkness. It also includes nudity, strong language and verbal references to transphobia. Some set and props are made from latex.
A Trans Pride Hastings x Giddy Up Collaboration
Giddy Up takes over the stages of Hastings with a line-up of daring, defiant performances that are queer at heart, welcoming to all. Check out the full Giddy Up 2025 lineup.
Trans Pride Hastings was established in 2023 as the first official Trans Pride for Hastings, St. Leonards and the surrounding areas. It creates spaces, activities and experiences for the Trans and Non Binary community with a focus on community building, support and celebration. https://transpridehastings.uk/
Image Credit: Wet Mess performing TESTO taken by Lesley Martin.