Introducing Otter Lee, a Chinese/American queer stand-up and actor, who makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut at the Just The Tonic Cabaret Voltaire with his show, ‘Princess Syndrome’.
At the tender age of 4, Otter was so moved by the tragic passing of Princess Diana that he wept outside Kensington Palace, while his father mocked him and took pictures. Now a twenty-something trapped in a revolving door of manchildren, Otter still feels as broken as ever. Through a lively, sassy mix of stand-up, storytelling, and musical comedy Otter tackles generations of family trauma (his dad was raised in a cage in Taiwan) and his messy love life in an unforgiving queer community.
His story has everything that makes a good fairytale: a difficult childhood, a wicked stepmother, an animal sidekick, singing through one's emotions, and lots and lots of celebrity gossip - everything but a happily ever after!
He tells a disturbing fairy tale story about his childhood pet tadpole that never metamorphosed and a song from ‘Anastasia’ that where his parodies about believing that coming out as gay would come with acceptance from a community of lovers and friends. Fans of Disney musicals will also recognise musical parodies of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, and Frozen, but with less animation and more foreplay.
Otter speaks about his adolescent years and how he was bullied by other kids as well as his stepmom, who all wanted to be the one to out him as gay. Sadly, when he finally came out he was still bullied and was ostracized by the other gays who were racist.
Now, years later, he has a day job that is a Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master. He talks about how playing this fantasy game has helped him get over his many terrible boyfriends... Otter now believes that he has avoided responsibility for growing up or believing in himself by dating losers. He resolves to change the ending of his fairytale and avoid becoming like his parents and decided to stop dating…
Over the course of an hour, Otter learns to make peace with the racism in the gay community, love himself a little bit more and also that sometimes you end up a little more Camilla than Diana, and that's okay!
Otter Lee is a NYC-based queer actor, writer, comedian, and VO artist. He performed on Seasons 1 and 2 of Stephen Colbert Presents: Tooning Out the News, a two time Emmy-nominated political satire cartoon. He also voice acted as ‘Mack’ on Fairview, a new animated sitcom on Comedy Central.
Although New York based he has performed shows at London venues including the Top Secret Comedy Club, Vauxhall Comedy, Angel Comedy, Backyard & 2Northdown. In NYC, Otter has performed stand-up, sketch, and improv at venues including Caroline’s On Broadway, The People’s Improv Theater, The Knitting Factory, Buzzfeed, and the Upright Citizens Brigade. After performing on split bills at the past two Edinburgh Fringes he finally makes his Edinburgh debut in 2024.
Otter Lee’s ‘Princess Syndrome’ is at Just The Tonic @ The Cabaret Voltaire Liberty Room 3.30pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
Usually, I’ll take one last swig of pineapple juice. My old vocal teacher claims the enzyme bromelain within it can reduce inflammation and scar tissue, plus it tastes so yummy! Need to keep my vocal cords properly hydrated before I hop up there! Also, sometimes I’ll listen to epic sounding music to get myself hyped up. An orchestral remix from Bridgerton or Game of Thrones is a great warmup song!
What irritates you?
I absolutely cannot stand when someone insists on meeting you for a meal, then shows up not hungry or having already eaten. It shows a blatant lack of self-control or respect, often both. And then they have the nerve to stare and gawk while you eat as if you were the person who didn’t do what they were supposed to do. This is the easiest way to lose my attention or interest. Whether it’s a date, an old friend, or a work colleague, lunch means we are eating, so don’t be weird about it.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
My tour bus to the Isle of Skye fell through, so I hiked over the mountains to the Faerie Pools. It was incredibly muddy and treacherous and multiple people beseeched me to turn back, but the photos were absolutely darling. Later that night, I missed my last bus off the Isle, so I was left with no choice, but to go out dancing to find shelter in Portree. Fortunately, I was there on the night of the Highland Games, so I had no shortage of kind offers. It was a lot of fun, but definitely very unsafe of me.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Every time I have ever gone home with someone I’ve met on a first date, it’s a mistake. Maybe dating in general. There was one time this really cute boy snuck me into his mentally ill mother’s house in the middle of the night. Nobody from his family caught us, but his dog looked at me like I was a tart. Another really stupid, unsafe story, but I’m a sucker for a hottie with a messed-up backstory and abs.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
The biggest surprise for me in comedy is how many unfunny people seem to get married! I’ll watch someone just bomb set after set for years and then find out they have a partner and kids. It’s always the ones who should have quit like three years ago that seem to settle down the most stably. I guess there’s safety in settling? I wouldn’t know! Thank God, I haven’t been invited to any improv or stand-up weddings yet. The vows alone would be unbearable to sit through!
Interview continues here
