Vertigo was formally invited to Drag 101: A New Drag Showcase held in the Cellar theatre at USYD. Upon hearing about the invitation I immediately raised my hand to sit before the truly amazing spectacle. Through the formulation of the House of Genet, Drag 101 was born and executed to perfection.
Directed by Cal Le Marinel, also known as Mr Dandy Warhol, the 6 week program focused on workshopping the foundations of drag and how to build your drag persona. Each week, one of the five instructors: Mr Dandy Warhol, William ShakesAss, Green Eyes, Johnny Inept, and Ola Humanity, would introduce baby kings and queens to the various ways to approach drag, whether that be through makeup, performance, comedy, dancing etc. Then, on the final sixth week, friends and family (and lucky me) were invited to an exclusive-one-night-only drag showcase. Where the kings and queens finally presented the manifestations of this bootCAMP; going from a familiar face to fiercely unrecognisable.
Before the performance began, I interviewed the director and instructors of the show. I got to hear the story behind the workshop and what drove them to create this project, which I found quite inspiring.
Drag 101’s purpose was to provide new and accessible spaces for young drag performers, a place to experiment and explore a seemingly missing space of entertainment, despite the demand. Chatting to the showrunners gave me hope that this was only the beginning; what started as a pilot project had turned into a full sold out showcase of talent.
Warhol explained, “We wanna teach people how to do drag, we wanna teach people about drag, we wanna give people a drag community to do this with, to be vulnerable, to experiment.” Warhol further highlighted how drag gives you the feeling where “all of you can be out there, [and] you don’t have to hide.”
At last, it was time for the doors to open and the spectacle to begin. Walking into the theatre felt like entering a speakeasy cabaret bar. Dimly lit lights with crimson red curtains draped along the walls with their gold fringe kissing the floor welcomed you inside. The lights faded into a deep blue, then black, until all that was left was the nervous giggles between performers and the buzzing energy that filled the room. The theatre eagerly quietened as Warhol waltzed onto the stage introducing the project and the first act.
“Hoot, holler and growl”, Warhol demanded. And that we did.
The shows consisted of live singing, dancing, moaning and groaning, and of course, lip syncing to an exceptionally well chosen range of songs; honorable mentions include I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred, Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler, and a live vocal performance of Lilac Wine by Jeff Buckley.
Between each performance, Warhol would return to introduce the following acts, giving personal anecdotes and very sincere comments about the preceding performer; it felt like we were watching a graduating class and their proud teacher.
After lots of clapping, squealing, ooh-ing and ah-ing, we were given a brief intermission to let it all sink in.
Every time a new queen was announced I was already hooked by the witty names, some of my favourites were: Deniz Nutz, Obi Chuary and Hansel Mann Handels. Watching these young performers come to life was amazing. Each persona was so defined and thought out that it was difficult to comprehend they had developed it within those previous 5 weeks, with a mix of scary queens, comedy and theatre, the talent was practically spilling out of the room. By the end of the show, the whole audience were on the edge of their seats barely holding it together, mixed with pure excitement, joy, celebration and pride.
By bringing everyone together, Drag 101 created a beautiful environment and platform for young performers to express themselves with immeasurable support, alongside a stage to show everything (and anything) off in the spotlight.
Although, this is only the beginning; a pilot project, gauging whether audiences would come with uninhibited enthusiasm, and to no surprise, they did. The House of Genet is opening doors for young queer performers to freely experiment and express themselves. I encourage everyone to keep an eye out for their upcoming events, performances or workshops. You never know who, or what, may be hiding inside, and you will never know until you try.
Note: Vertigo received tickets in exchange for review.
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