4-Way Stretch
Lost in grief, a drag king finds himself stretched by the four components of time; past, present, future and... gender identity. In Stretcher Hartout’s second one man show and first time fringe debut, this drag king rekindles himself with his femininity and labours to fit in non-toxic masculinity.
4-Way Stretch is an absolute gem of a show. Stretcher delivers content that is both deeply moving and wonderfully approachable, weaving together drag king history with the raw honesty of lived experience. This performance does more than entertain, it educates, uplifts, and honors the legacy of drag kings while carving out new space for stories still being written.
What struck me most was the balance: the show manages to feel intimate and personal while also standing as a powerful testament to our broader queer history. It is an important reminder that telling these stories keeps our histories alive, and Stretcher does so with heart, humour, and authenticity.
A beautiful homage and a vital contribution, 4-Way Stretch is not just a performance, it is a preservation of culture and a bold step toward making new histories. I truly hope to see this show remounted so that more folks can experience it.
A fabulously Queer and feminist show that explores the history of Drag Kings with humour and heart. Stretcher is an artist you don’t want to miss - surely a star on the rise!! ✨💫
4-Way Stretch: Past, Present, Future, Self By Martha Estrada Baca
Drag has always been a space of transformation, of slipping between roles and identities, and in 4-Way Stretch, Stretcher Hartout leans into that tradition with boldness and charisma. This deeply personal one-man show, also Hartout’s Fringe debut, utilizes drag performance, puppetry, and storytelling to chart a journey through identity, and the often overlooked historical drag king figures. What emerges is a piece that is both unique and innovative, a testament to drag’s power as an art form of self-discovery. One of the show’s standout elements is its attention to history. While drag queens have long dominated the cultural spotlight, 4-Way Stretch shines a light on drag kings, exploring a lineage of performers who have often been sidelined in media representation. Very well done and I would highly recommend to experience the show for yourself.
Worth it for the ingenious presentation of Bohemian Rhapsody alone! Drag. Burlesque. Comedy. Drag king history (Tang Dynasty!?!). A puppet. I've never been to a show like it. Stretcher Hartout is a true gem. Don't miss this show.
Do you love history? Do you love drag? Do you love saying f*&# you to the patriarchy with glittery pasties!? Then this is for you!
Who says a drag king can't have it all? Stretcher is fabulous in their historical rendition of drag king history and equal parts puppetry, comedy and fabulous performance.
This is one creator to watch!
Definitely a show worth seeing! It was a wonderful example of story telling, moving between the often unknown or overlooked history of femme people in drag, to the artist's own present day experiences as a drag king.
Told through story, pictures, poems, a couple proper drag acts & all capped off by one raggedy puppet named Pooch