Dwarfism Explored: Tamm Reynolds and Midgitte Bardot Break Barriers in Bold New Show

While many performers relish the spotlight during performances, Tamm Reynolds is accustomed to constant attention, both on and off the stage. Known by their stage persona, Midgitte Bardot, Reynolds is candid about their provocative style, mentioning, “I also enjoy showing off my bush and ass.” Prior to our meeting at Woolwich station in London, Reynolds, who offered to fetch me, texted: “I’m assuming you know what I look like.” Indeed, their distinct appearance is unmistakable. As a non-binary trans drag queen with dwarfism, Reynolds represents a unique intersection of identities.

However, defining Reynolds solely by these aspects would fail to capture their full essence, as they are equally a force in writing and performance. Three years prior, Reynolds participated in Travis Alabanza’s queer cabaret revue, Sound of the Underground, where they performed a risqué blues rock song titled Hot Piss from a cherry-picker, wielding a jug of yellow liquid. The performance, too explicit for detailed description here, garnered thunderous applause at the Royal Court, overshadowing other productions.

Now, Reynolds returns to the stage at London’s Southbank Centre with their new show, Shooting From Below, marking their comeback after a spinal surgery that nearly left them paralyzed. “Many with dwarfism face spinal issues,” Reynolds explains. “You lot are like dairy milk and we’re condensed. My spine curves at the bottom, which gives me a phenomenal ass, but it comes with its challenges.”

After sharing lunch, Reynolds, who is gifted in conversation, sits and discusses their life. “My existence and the treatment I receive have radicalized me,” they share. “If I didn’t have dwarfism, I’d likely be quite ordinary. But at heart, I’m an old soul. I love crossword puzzles.” A cushion bearing Danny DeVito’s face adorns the sofa. “I adore him,” says Reynolds. “I don’t know if he has dwarfism, but I consider him a kindred spirit. I have a list of such people.” Included on their list are Elton John, Miriam Margolyes, Dawn French, and Elliott Page.

In Shooting From Below, Midgitte (whom Reynolds describes using she/her pronouns) confronts a heinous act she has committed. “She has an audience captive and is ready to reveal her true thoughts,” Reynolds states. “Because historically, larger people have committed atrocities. People with dwarfism have been enslaved. In the show, I reference Princess Eugenie, who hired dwarves for her 25th birthday and controlled interactions with them, highlighting ongoing objectification.”

Reynolds faces this objectification daily. “A walk through Woolwich with me would show you the stares, comments, and unsolicited questions I receive,” they recount. “People ask invasive questions about my sex life, my appearance, and my family. On trains, I’m wary of smartphones, as they often seem pointed at me.” Reynolds recalls a book that resonated with them, where a woman with dwarfism confronted a man filming her, only to be told he was sharing the footage in a group chat.

Reynolds embraces the term “freak” with pride and discusses the challenges of social interactions. “I’m naturally sociable, but engaging with strangers often leads to being followed home. It’s baffling and usually men, though women also treat me like a child, taking my hand without permission.”

Despite frequent public attention, Reynolds clarifies, “It’s not the majority.” They believe their appearance invokes anxiety in others. “We represent a disruption of the norm,” they explain. “In movies, we symbolize dreams or are the butt of jokes in certain comedies. Performers with dwarfism can find work, but it often involves humiliation.”

Reynolds decries the historical treatment of performers with dwarfism as “horrific,” recounting the story of a family of performers with dwarfism who were taken to Auschwitz and spared from execution because they were subjects for experimentation by Joseph Mengele.

As a performer, Reynolds aims to subvert norms. The name Midgitte Bardot, a play on an offensive term, is Reynolds’s way of confronting prejudice head-on. “I know what word you think of when you see me, so I’ll own it, but with a classy twist,” they explain. Reynolds also finds empowerment in transforming experiences of ableism into humor, like an encounter with a woman who refused to take them home from a club due to their stature.

Reynolds believes in confronting harassers directly. “If I had a child like me, I’d advise them not to ignore bullies,” they assert. “By addressing it, you reclaim some power. If someone stares, I confront them. If they deny it, it disrupts their behavior.” This approach challenges the notion that individuals with dwarfism are too vulnerable to defend themselves.

Born in Gloucester and raised in Cheltenham, Reynolds faced significant challenges growing up. They began keeping a diary at age eight, a practice they continue today, using writing as a means to process their feelings about not growing like their peers and being noticed differently.

Reynolds attended John Moores University in Liverpool, where they studied creative writing and graduated with honors. During their final year, they hosted literary open mic nights, which paved their path to performance. A friend, performing as drag queen Auntie Climax, recognized Reynolds’s talent for drag, leading to the creation of Midgitte Bardot. Reynolds’s drag persona quickly gained recognition, prompting them to move from Liverpool to London in 2021 to further their career in the queer performance scene.

Reynolds realized their non-binary trans identity through performing in drag. They observed a stark contrast in how they were treated compared to cisgender gay men in the dressing room. This realization was affirming, even as they navigated painful interactions, like being referred to simply as “a dwarf” by a passerby.

Reynolds hopes that Shooting From Below will reach others with dwarfism and foster a sense of community. “Under the roof of the Southbank, I’m always in someone else’s space,” they reflect. “There’s a solitude in being the only one who looks like me. I aim to transform that experience through my work. Let’s turn the tables on how people treat us.”