Comedian Max Norman’s 'Coco' Turns Museum Visits into Interactive Historical Comedy

Key points

• Max Norman created the character Coco, a 6-foot-7 'time-traveling tart,' to provide alternative museum experiences.
• Coco recently performed at the National Galleries of Scotland during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
• The tour, described as a 'cheeky romp,' focuses on the gossip and human insecurities behind historical figures.
• Activities include curtsying before royal portraits and physically acting out historical events like the Jacobite fall.
• Norman developed the concept as a reaction to his own childhood experiences of being dragged through art galleries by his mother.

Background

This development follows broader cultural trends where traditional museum engagement is being reimagined to appeal to younger or less traditional audiences. While previous coverage noted the intersection of drag culture and advocacy, such as the Texas drag performer Brigitte Bandit receiving a guitar from Dolly Parton, this story focuses on the intersection of performance art and historical education. It also contrasts with recent literary revivals of historical figures, like the novel 'The Pirate Queen,' which seeks to reclaim marginalized histories through narrative rather than live performance.

Why it matters

The initiative addresses a common barrier to museum attendance: the perceived dryness of traditional educational tours. By integrating physical comedy and narrative storytelling, it offers a model for cultural institutions to attract diverse audiences who might otherwise avoid art galleries. It demonstrates how historical content can be made engaging through interactive and humorous formats.

What to watch

Coco is expected to continue touring galleries in London and other locations, potentially expanding the format to other museums. The success of the Edinburgh Fringe appearance may lead to more bookings or collaborations with cultural institutions seeking to modernize their public engagement strategies.