As part of A Dash of Lavender: LGBTQ+ history month, join us for a wildly different comedy night as a Entomologist, Botanist, and Marine Biologist argue their case for what they think is the queerest creature. Hosted by drag king Bi-curious George, the audience becomes the ultimate judge. Cast your vote and help us crown the most un-natural creature of the year in this uproarious celebration of nature, diversity and laughter.

The Physic Garden Café will be open for drinks and light bites.

Doors open from 6:30pm, event starts at 7pm.

Ticket Information:
Tickets are £15 per person
Please note that there are no discounts for Friends and Members of the Garden

Accessibility:

This event will take place in our first floor ‘Gallery’, unfortunately this space is not wheelchair accessible. Please email  if you would like to discuss accessibility.

Host Bio:

Bi-Curious George

The winner of the prestigious Not Another Drag Competition 2022 at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Bi-curious George is a drag king whose work centres around queer ecology; queerness in the natural world. Using silliness, joy and camp tomfoolery, he aims to shatter the heteronormative lens through which we view the natural world.

George has performed at venues all over London, including The Southbank Centre, Soho Theatre, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Kew Gardens and The Clapham Grand. His solo show, Queer Planet, will be touring the UK in early 2024.

Speakers’ Bios:

James Wong

James (he/him) is a professional plant geek, broadcaster and best-selling author based in London. He shares his tiny flat with over 500 houseplants, and is constantly developing new, escapist terrarium and aquascape creations.

Trained at the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, James achieved an MSc in Ethnobotany, graduating with distinction. He has pursued research into underutilised crop species, ethnopharmacology and traditional food systems through field work in rural Ecuador, Java and Southern China.

James has written 6 best-selling books on plant use, gardening and food, including Homegrown Revolution, the fastest-selling gardening book in UK history and regularly writes columns in both the Observer and New Scientist.

Connor Butler

Connor (he/him) is a Queer ecologist and the Head of Learning & Public Engagement at Chelsea Physic Garden. He has a specialisation in dung beetle ecology and has been surveying London’s dung beetles over the past year.

With an aim to help Londoners see “ordinary” wildlife from new perspectives, Connor encourages everyone to take time to appreciate the smallest details in nature and to show love for the often unloved creatures on our diverse planet

Kat Machin

Kat (she/her) is a zoologist, campaigner and comedian, hailing from the wilds of the West Mildlands. Kat’s misadventures in nature have involved getting run over by Giant Tortoises, losing a German Family in the Canadian wilderness and breaking her humerus in Jurassic Park (not as funny as it sounds).

Moving from field biology to campaigning, Kat’s passion is unlocking the power of people to protect and renew nature.