Tracing the flow of microorganisms cholera and E. coli through Liverpool and Margate’s historical waterways, our performances reveal the intricate web of human relationships with this fluid resource. From the shared use of wells and washhouses to the impact of industrial pollution on communities, the project viscerally demonstrates how water has always been a social connector, shaping the fabric of urban life.
We had a wonderful time sharing our project during The Ecological Citizens Festival: EC in Action day on the Thursday 18th September 2025 at the Museum of Making, Derby.
The Ecological Citizens Festival was a one-day, in-person event championing a creative, collaborative gathering for artists, scientists, designers, community leaders, researchers, activists and others who are asking: What does it mean to be an ecological citizen today?
(more…)More than 40 brave souls joined E. coli for two infectious promenade performances along Margate’s beaches on the 21 and 22 August. Together we waded through stories about sewage, swimming and the E.co-system, listening to E. coli’s side of this toxic story. Thank you so much to everyone who came and shared your energy with us! Below is a glimpse of the fun we had, and the mischief we made. If you have any pictures you want to share, please send them to us or tag us on Instagram @flow.walk.drag. We’d love to see the tour from your perspective!
From Friday to Sunday (25 – 27 July) we ran FOUR tours, and hosted around 80 humans with our infectious blend of art & science. Thank you for everyone who came to the Liverpool Cholera tours! Below are some memorable snaps from the event. Do you have any you want to share? Please send them through – we’d love to see the tour from your perspective too!
Photos by Tracy Simpson, Tim Brunsden
E. coli has been spending a lot of time in Margate recently and local residents are getting sick of her. She has a reputation for being toxic. But is she misunderstood? Join us for an unforgettable walking tour and performance along Margate’s coast as we hear E. coli’s side of the story.
Thursday 21 & Friday 22 August E.coli is brought to slimy life by multi-award nominated writer and performer Laura Wyatt O’Keeffe (soho theatre, round house, latitude festival) in microbial drag. The tour is a queer, joyful exploration of Margate’s relationship with microorganisms, provoking new perspectives on the sewage crisis and our relationship with non-human life.
(more…)To celebrate Margate Pride, Flow.Walk.Drag has co-curated a pop-up exhibition at Margate’s Crab Museum – ECO-DRAG.
Come learn about local drag performances that take on environmental issues, namely Southern Water’s persistent sewage spills. Learn about the impact on public health and the characteristics of one notorious bacteria that comes to town with heavy rain and sewage overflows: E. coli.
Margate’s ornate, subterranean queen Shelly Grotto has previously embodied Southern Water and the Ocean to raise awareness of corporate sewage pollution. Shelly explores why drag eco-activism is so powerful and offers her top-tips for drag eco-activism.
The exhibition is open 11-5 until Sunday 10th August.
And at 4pm on the final day, come and join a speed-dating event with E. coli. You can win a spot to go on a date with this notorious, mysterious, misunderstood bacteria. Sign up to win a slot here!