Making its world premiere this August, 14th at the greatest Fringe on the continent, is the Guys in Disguise crew’s comic drag piece Flora and Fawna’s Field Trip.

Seasoned thespians Darrin Hagen and Trevor Schmidt wrote the show over the last year and play the lead roles, with special guest Brian Dooley playing the girls’ odd friend Fleurette.

"We were on a road trip in the Yukon, working on another project... on a long drive through mountains and woods," describes Trevor Schmidt (Fawna). "I sort of suggested we should do something like girl guides or mountain rangers."

Though both writers were involved in a boys’ club of some sort in their youth, their involvement was brief.

"Darrin did all the fun (artistic) badges and then he quit," says Schmidt.

"I’m at my best when I’m surrounded by my girlfriends," says Hagen. "[So] it didn’t really work for me."

Flora and Fawna are on a mission to create their own club, ‘a safe place for girls just like them’, where no mean girls are allowed. The two are in the 8-10 age range, pre-pubescent; that brief time in life where one believes others are generally good, but are just beginning to see that not everyone is the same, and that people can hurt your feelings.

"There’s not that idea of boys yet... boys are still equals, not something to be thought of as boyfriends," describes Schmidt.

Hagen likens the two characters to modern day Peppermint Patty, the leader, and Marcie, her soft-spoken, reasonable side kick. Only Flora has gained her positive sense of self-esteem from having two moms.

"She’s always saying things like my mother says this, but my other mother says this," Hagen describes. "She thinks its normal."

Flora doesn’t always fit in for other reasons. She’s a big girl, and her size elects her some peer teasing. Thus her desire to create for her and her comrades a safe club, which she has creatively called the NaturElles, runs deep.

"She is desperate to make sure people feel included in this nature group that they are starting," Hagen says.

Fawna, on the other hand, is the character that goes along with everything, but once in awhile does question authority. Schmidt calls her "a hot mess". Her hair’s a wreck, her tights are snagged, the last meal she ate is evident in smears around her mouth.

"That kind of messy girl really having a good time," he describes. "As we’ve been progressing along we have decided that my character has a little bit of a speech impediment, a bit of a lisp," he adds.

At the time of writing, the play had never been performed to an audience though its style will require a bit of audience participation and maybe even some improv as the cast tries to sell their new group to the crowd.

Both writer/actors call this show one for all ages – 10 to 100. The naughty double entendres should fly over children’s heads.

"It’s got a nice message for children and adults about inclusiveness, and being kind to one another, and supporting your friends, and working hard," Schmidt says.

In fact, not long ago Hagen had a 10-year-old trans boy in his audience. His mother had called Hagen beforehand and asked if she could bring her son, who was eager to see some glitter and pizzazz. The boy was toured backstage and, Hagen said, lit up like a kid in a candy store. Hagen was happy to offer the experience, as such was not available when he was that age and in need of one.

"Times have changed," he says.

Hagen was unsure as to whether or not the show will tour after it closes in Edmonton. He says Fringe is a wonderful opportunity to showcase a new work, see how it feels to perform, watch how the crowd digests it, and then decide where to take it next. It was, in fact, his debut show – Edmonton Queen – that began as a play with mediocre response but went on to receive a book deal.

The new drag cabaret Guys in Disguise is offering this year at Fringe might be for a slightly older crowd but still the young at heart. Entitled Boys will be Girls, the premise sees Justine Tyme, Twiggy and Mr. Terri Stevens presenting ‘the most sparkling, sassy, bedazzled comedy impersonation revue ever assembled at any Fringe’. This will be the group’s 27th year of performing, making it the longest running drag ensemble of its kind.

In the fall Hagen and Schmidt will be working together again to put on the Loud and Queer Cabaret that takes place in November. The two have both been acting basically since they could walk and enjoy coupling for projects.

Trevor is not a drag queen but he can act in drag, and his understanding of drag and camp humour makes him a pleasure to work with, Hagen says.

"The first time Trevor worked with Guys was back in 2002," Hagen reminisces. "[The show] was Tran of Green Gables, and we both played little girls, so this is hilarious: 12 years later and we’re both playing little girls again."