Actor, Singer, Writer, Teacher, Event Host and Drag Artist
“Riotously funny” according to The Independent, Gigi Zahir (formerly known as Crayola) is a mixed race, non-binary actor, writer, singer, comedian, cabaret performer and drag artist based in London.
Since graduating from The Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York in 2016, Gigi has had a colourful career on every stage imaginable, from basement bars to the West End, corporate boardrooms to the Brixton Academy. But whether they’re tackling Shakespeare, pantomime or legit musicals, their years of experience across drag, cabaret, and theatre gives them a unique blend of creativity, presence and professionalism that consistently garners critical acclaim.
Recent theatre credits include: Adelphaba Dazeem in “Wicked Witches” (The Pleasance), Ria Listic in “Acid’s Reign” (Relish Theatre), Shona in “Frankie Goes To Bollywood” (Rifco, UK Tour/Southbank Centre) and Cleopatra in “Cinderella” (Stratford East).
Gigi has opened for Chappell Roan three times, and is credited as the person who helped Chappell see herself as a drag queen.
Gigi is currently developing UnHinged, a new musical comedy about the hilarity and horrors of queer dating in the digital age, and has been a guest lecturer at the London College of Music since 2024.
Gigi is represented by Simon Pontin at Leodis Talent.
Praise for Gigi
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Adelphaba Dazeem
WICKED WITCHES, The Pleasance, 2025
“The standout star” The Times“Wonderful” The Stage
“Commanding presence” Theatre and Tonic
“Far and away the most spectacularly hilarious, surprisingly warm, and naturally charismatic” London Pub Theatres
“Particularly strong is Gigi Zahir, regal and relentlessly funny as Wicked Witch Adelphaba, bringing poise and precision to the endless array of jokes assigned to them. With that perfect blend of comedic timing and vocal skill, Zahir is absolutely made for pantomimes.” All That Dazzles
“She shines” London Theatre Reviews
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Shona
FRANKIE GOES TO BOLLYWOOD, Rifco Theatre, UK Tour/Southbank Centre, 2024
“Show-stealing” All That Dazzles
“Hilarious” Theatre and Tonic
“Really loveable…wonderfully honest” London Theatre 1“Stole every scene” Lost in Theatreland
“An absolute riot” Eastern Eye
“Outstanding” Theatre Reviews North
“The embodiment of fabulous, stealing scenes everywhere he goes” Honorary Manc Blog
“A true stand-out performance… They keep the audience expecting the unexpected through their charismatic nature and utter fabulousness” Adventures in Theatreland
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Ria Listic
ACID’S REIGN, Relish Theatre, 2024
“It’s Gigi Zahir who stands out as Ria Listic, nailing the personal impact of activism with the exquisitely styled Ria’s Song” The Stage“Intense and empowered” The Live Review
“Brings great depth to their role” The Reviews Hub
“You won’t want to miss the final number by Zahir” Salterton Arts Review
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Cleopatra
CINDERELLA, Stratford East, 2022
“Dominating the proceedings is Gigi Zahir as Cleopatra – an extravagant, elegant queen who evidently revels in her wicked exchanges with the audience” The Stage
“But it is especially Zahir who steals the show as Cleopatra – their comedic timing is phenomenal in a manner that simply impresses throughout” The Upcoming
“Brings the regal nature of a genuine queen to Cleo, while managing to be hysterical in both mannerisms and dialogue” All That Dazzles
“Dominated the stage… brilliant moments of sharp witty ad-lib” Pocket Size Theatre
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Becky Biro
FAME WHORE, King’s Head Theatre, 2022
“A captivating artist” The Stage
“They are what one can simply describe as The Moment” Broadway World
“Magnetic…a dab hand at dropping the façade abruptly, if only for a moment, so that we see the honest, whimpering desperation” The Spy in the Stalls
“A stupendously talented performer… Their talent and natural ownership of the stage elevate Ratcliffe’s already excellent material into a fantastically funny evening that will make you think while spitting out your drink” Musical Theatre Review
“The comedic timing of Zahir is fabulous, and her expressions are golden” Lost in Theatreland
“An utterly mesmerising presence: disarming and magnetic” The Peg
“Carries the show brilliantly with his magnetic personality and intense physicality” North West End
“A one-person wonder” Belle About Town
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Trinculo and Antonio
TEMPEST, Wildcard Theatre, 2022
“Riotously funny” The Independent
“They have the audience eating out of the palm of their hand” What’s On Stage
“Their timing and ad-libbing are on point” London Theatre Reviews
“Steals the show with their intoxicating charisma” The Indiependent
“The audience’s firm favourite though is Zahir, who gives a memorable performance as a drag queen iteration of Trinculo, the king’s jester… Some of the best-received clowning in any Shakespeare I have seen” Everything Theatre
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Widow Hanky
ALADDIN AND THE FEAST OF WONDERS, The Vaults, 2019
“Smoothly combines both host and dame duties, ensuring that all the gags – those ad-libbed and those scripted – land appropriately… Crayola knows how to work her audience” The Stage