Annabel Cooper
Co-Director (She/They)
1. Who are you?
I’m Annabel, aka Agent Cooper and one half of drag king rock-n-roll tribute bampots Oasissy. I’m a good daughter and a naughty boi; a freelance producer by day and a drag-clown by night (when I’m not tucked up in bed with a hot cocoa).
2. How did you get here?
As a queer sibling once said to me…I got here falling backwards through a glitter slash circuit!
I moved to Edinburgh (via the queer paradise of rural Aberdeenshire and then London) to study journalism and joined a community radio station to help run the late night arts show, giving me a behind-the-scenes peak at Edinburgh Fringeland.
I fell hopelessly in love with showbiz - especially the queer bits - and quickly turned coat, helping out behind the scenes on comedy podcast shows before falling into an opportunity to create a new queer cabaret party - Dive Queer Party. It was a life changing moment and a really special time, as a new queer family in Edinburgh and Glasgow blossomed together. It took me places I never expected, including creating a production company with Jo Clifford and Susan Worsfold - Queen Jesus Productions - and collaborations with all sorts of talented and gorgeous folx.
I’ve had the privilege of being wig-deep in queer cabarets, parties, theatre and performance ever since…so when Drew and Fraser approached me about joining Sanctuary Queer Arts I was over the rainbow!
3. What does the concept of Sanctuary mean to you?
When I think of a Sanctuary it conjures many things but the feelings those different places and spaces invoke is the same. It’s the feeling of being ‘just right’, enough, complete, at peace… sometimes alone but often surrounded by people who affirm, respect and demand the best of me.
4. What does your Sanctuary look like?
So many things! Watching Drag Race with loved ones on a Saturday with crisps and ice-cream…a 2am high-heeled trudge through Berlin with a troop of merry queers…a long walk by the sea…picking up a new book in Lighthouse or Category Is…can I have them all, please?