Your Queen Presents: PETRUS

What if the true story behind Beauty and the Beast was told by Queen Catherine de’ Medici herself? In YOUR QUEEN PRESENTS: PETRUS, the Queen unveils the wild true story of Petrus Gonsalvus, a 16th-century man from the Canary Islands with hypertrichosis, who became a spectacle in Renaissance Europe. This darkly comic solo show, created and performed by Tenerife-born, NYC-based theatermaker Edu Díaz, blends drag, clown, magical realism, and handmade theatricality to reimagine Petrus’s extraordinary tale. Through shadow puppetry, clowning, and innovative stagecraft, the performance explores how power transforms bodies into entertainment, the manufacturing of monsters, and the humanity that remains beneath the surface of performance. This presentation marks the next stage of PETRUS, a large-scale theatrical project inspired by the story behind Beauty and the Beast. With an exuberant performance style, Díaz captivates audiences, leaving them wanting more. The show addresses mature themes such as abuse of power, exploitation, and the othering of bodies, all delivered with dark humor and metatheatrical framing. Audience interaction and a variety of theatrical techniques create an immersive experience that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Suitable for ages 13 and up, this unique theatrical event is part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, promising a memorable exploration of history, identity, and the complexities of the human experience.