Hailing from South London and a proud member of the Irish diaspora, Emer Dineen’s Irish Catholic family never quite understood why she was dressing up as a kinky cherub to sing dystopian love songs in sticky gay bars across London. Emer didn’t understand either, she just knew she was trying to put a shape on a feeling; a discomfort brought on by enforced isolation, or the city, the meaning crisis, loneliness epidemic, a lifetime online, the news, too much partying, telly, capitalism, self-checkouts, Pornhub, Shein. And whilst trying to make sense of this existential dread via the questionable medium of musical comedy, Emer’s life took an unexpected turn.
Through her drag persona, crumbling club-kid ‘Cupid’, Emer Dineen grapples with love in a lonely capitalist paradigm. Hungover, moulting and disorientated, our redundant deity battles with with modern life, unravelling Emer’s true story of navigating personal loss, dysfunctional relationships and finding meaningful connection in the city. (experiencing the sweet sting of meaningful connection where she least expected it)
0800 CUPID is an SOS (emergency) response to the swelling social anxiety of a post-pandemic pre-apocalyptic world, a camp catalyst for reconnection. It’s a musical march into and back from an existential brink.
Funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Tour made possible by Culture Ireland. Development supported by Cork Midsummer Festival and the Jane Anne Rothwell Award.