Matthew recently made history as Felix Baker in EastEnders, the first regular drag queen character in a British soap. Now, he is trading the Queen Vic for a nationwide tour. In this interview, Matthew discusses the challenge of playing a pianist when you can’t actually play the piano, dealing with “impostor syndrome,” and his transition from soaps to the stage.
So, Matthew, how are you feeling about this new venture?
I regard it as both a challenge and a reward. I was part of the National Youth Theatre and the National Youth Film Academy and I’ve also appeared in a number of short films as well as stage plays, the most recent at Greenwich in Blue/Orange, Joe Penhall’s bleakly comic look at race and mental illness.
And now here comes a co-starring role in a hit play, touring the UK for four months.
I know and I’ve never been on tour before so that will be exciting, a good opportunity to see more of the country.
Even so, is your stomach doing somersaults at the prospect of all those live performances?
Yes and no. I really liked the script from the moment I first read it and particularly the ending which I can’t say too much about, of course. That said, obviously there’s a bit of nerves involved.
Why do you think you were offered the part?
I don’t know. These things just happen. Cosme is Florence’s pianist. I can’t play the piano so I’ve had to learn how to look as though I know what I’m doing, more of a challenge than you might imagine although the audience can’t ever see my hands which makes it a little bit easier.
The next four months should be something of a learning curve…
Absolutely but I couldn’t be looking forward to it more. On the other hand, I do suffer sometimes from impostor syndrome, that one day I’ll be found out for the fraud I occasionally think I am. Maybe I’m the Florence Foster Jenkins of the acting world. Hope not.
No good, then, asking if you’ve got a career plan?
It would be difficult in this industry. Anyway, you know what they say: if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. I think that was a favourite saying of John Lennon’s.
Is it fair to say that you have Felix to thank for landing this plum part?
Oh yes, by far and away my most high-profile role was in EastEnders. After three years, almost to the day, between July 2022 and July 2025, I was the out-and-proud Felix, flirting with any boy who appeared on my radar and never missing an opportunity for a spot of karaoke in full drag at the Queen Vic. Fabulous fun.
You seem modest, almost shy, in real life, very different from your flamboyant soap character.
I think Felix and I could learn quite a lot from each other. Like Tameka Empson who plays Kim, he brought a lot of joy to the people he met. I liked him. Tameka and I have become firm friends. We’re in touch all the time.
How did you learn how to put across a drag queen so convincingly?
I sought the advice of professional drag queen, Vinegar Strokes. He taught me how to walk in heels. He told me always to wear big earrings. He passed on the tricks of the trade. I’d never done drag before unless you count me and my sisters dressing up in our mum’s clothes and impersonating Destiny’s Child. I was still in single figures at the time, no more than eight or nine. Who’d have guessed that twenty or so years later, I’d be in full makeup and sequins and appearing regularly on national television? We think we’re in charge of our own destiny. Ha!
Glorious! is coming to the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple from 31st March to 4th April. Visit gloriousplay.com for full tour dates.
GLORIOUS! The True Story of American Socialite Florence Foster Jenkins
