NEW ROLE FOR DEADGOODUNDIES – SELF TAPE
UPDATE London 29 June 2023 - SELF TAPE finale and award nomination
Michael Batten and his wardrobe of designer men’s underwear from DGU have been much admired during the run of SELF TAPE which ends on Sunday.
The best news is that the show has been nominated for an ‘Offie’ award and his audience has been peppered with famous faces.
SELF TAPE is up for a Solo Performance Off West End Award – presented to recognise and celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent Off West End theatres across London.
Michael is of course delighted: “Being nominated for best solo performance is a huge honour. I am overjoyed! It has been incredible performing for people like Ruth Wilson and Simon Callow - to be able to act in front of some of Britain’s most talented actors is amazing. That gives you a real buzz.”
And how have those male briefs performed? “Very comfortable, perfect for the role and definitely getting a lot of attention,” Michael says.
What next for the actor and SELF TAPE? Michael is being encouraged to take up a new career as a men’s underwear model but he might be too busy – there could be another run of his hit one man show later this year.
Men’s underwear retailer Deadgoodundies has a new role today, dressing Michael Batten, star and writer of the unflinching, fascinating play SELF TAPE.
His acclaimed one-man show following the double life of hunky gay actor and webcam model Jonas Harland has been invited back to London’s Kings Head Theatre for a longer run after sell out performances in April.
Michael Batten, who wrote his gay play during lockdown, is mostly dressed only in underwear (or less) and he invited Deadgoodundies to provide his wardrobe for the new run at the Kings Head from June 18 to July 2.
Men’s underwear briefs play a crucial supporting role in SELF TAPE, echoing Jonas’s developing experience as he plunges deeper into the world of cyber sex. The story explores in-person and virtual relationships, the taboos of sex work and exponential rise of camming – as opposed to self taping which is how actors audition for the roles of their dreams.
“I knew Deadgoodundies from a previous theatre production of The Full Monty and knew they were the obvious choice – I selected tanga, low cut and bikini briefs for Jonas,” said Michael, who has been giving his final selection of Gregg Homme, Andrew Christian, Modus Vivendi and TEAMM8 designs some testing rehearsals.
Want to see much more of Michael Batten?
https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/self-tape
@michael.j.batten @kingsheadtheatre
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Garner, expert in men's underwear, is a journalist and partner in Deadgoodundies.com. Having written for many years for the UK's leading lingerie, underwear and swimwear trade journal, she is known as 'That woman in men's underwear'. Jane has written or edited every product description on DGU since 2007, and that's a lot of pants!