SunSLAY Drag Cabaret

“We’re all born naked, the rest is drag” - words from RuPaul Andre Charles, one of history’s most famous drag artists and the self-proclaimed “queen of drag”— an art form that has existed since ancient times and has recently rocketed to mainstream popularity.

The Osmond Terrace Function Centre, normally a venue for wedding receptions and Christmas parties, is transformed into a cabaret club complete with a mirror ball and neon sign featuring a lipstick held in a luscious pair of bright red lips.

As we entered the function centre, we were given a bag of poker chips that we could use to show our support for each artist. I was hoping to hear the winner at the end of the night. Perhaps it was announced after I left.

You would be justly forgiven if you thought that drag was just men dressing up as women in glamorous gowns. ‘Drag’ is an art form made famous by Danny La Rue, Trixie Mattel, Ru Paul and Australia’s own Courtney Act! It is a performance art that embraces song, dance, comedy and glamour designed to challenge dominant norms and systems of oppression; build queer community; and cultivate experiences of queer joy in a hostile world.

Our hostess for the evening is Hungry Jackie, beautifully gowned in a melange of gold glitter and pink tulle. She is the mistress of one-liners and keeping the stage , which means picking up the feathers and sequins dropped by the other queens, for a fee, of course!

Sunslay Drag Cabaret is performed over four Sundays, with a different theme each week. I saw Miscellaneous Madness, but there is also CelebriTease Impressions, Musical Muses and ‘90s and ‘00s Nostalgia.

Jackie is joined by Polly Ester, Kloe Fox, Imogen Ation, Berri Juicy and Ali Holic. The ‘girls’ take us through an evening of glamour, mirth and ribald fun.

It would be unfair to make any comparisons between these diverse drag artists. They all have their own personalities and performance style. What unites them is their desire to entertain.

Performance highlights for me were an amazing display of drumming, a human star that wiggles its points, a blow-up fat suit, costume reveals, a birthday tribute Marilyn Monroe style and the thong dress from Priscilla Queen of the Desert!

There were a few tricky moments in some of the reveals, but they were quickly solved and largely unnoticed.

As an aside, I would like to commend Eclipse Productions for one of the most through and heartfelt Acknowledgements of Country I have heard!

SunSLAY Drag Concert is 90 minutes in a parallel universe where your troubles of the world melt away, everyone is happy, and of course, looks absolutely fabulous!!!

Barry Hill OAM

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