Pink Street: Live & Gay (Opening Night)

Well it was an eventful night for me last night, as I opened my new SINGING and dancing drag show - Pink Street: Live & Gay, at the Stonewall Hotel.

Yes that's right, I sang - and not too badly if I say so myself! Phew! I was very nervous though, so there were a few wrong notes, but I think I was, at very least, decent as a singing drag queen!

Adding the live singing element really made a difference to what the punters expect from a drag show. With a few of my shows now I have slowly added live elements, or pre-recorded vocals, sometimes with alternate lyrics (ie A Dummer Shade of Blonde & Murder She Mimed - The Musical) into the traditional mimed drag show format. For years now I have wanted to do a live show, but previously I have always chickened out of it... I'm very glad I stuck it out this time!

Even though we did do a tech. run earlier in the week, we started off with some technical difficulties - that being major feedback from the microphones, but we persisted through and the gremlins buggered off.

For the show, we have rewritten some of the lyrics to the songs "Keep It Gay" (The Producers - Musical), "I'm Super!" (South Park - Movie) and mixed together the songs "We Are Family" with "Express Yourself".

But even though it's obviously a VERY GAY show, with sets of completely pink costumes and a gay soundtrack, there is also a serious message behind it...

Oxford Street has, as we all know, been a vital part of our community. Lately there has been violence/abuse escalating from the mainly, drunk straight male crowds. This show has been my response to it.

As you can appreciate, it's a hard issue to tackle on the stage, let alone in a drag show, but judging from the feedback we have already received from last night, we managed to create a show that provokes some thought and was more than just a compilation of songs with some fab cossies. We have all created "compilation" shows before, but I like to have a storyline or some linear path to my shows - I think it's more satisfying for me and the people watching.

In any case, I like to challenge myself when creating and performing shows, and I'm lucky enough to be able to be the boss of all of the shows I perform in currently. It means I can create a team of performers, tailored to the show and the venue, plus surround myself with talented entertainers who I know like to extend themselves to do the best show possible.

I like to create a show that keeps the audience and the performers interested and I believe this show does just that!

I hope you get the chance to come along to Stonewall Hotel to watch our show. Shows are at 11pm and 12am, with Pink Street: Live and Gay at 1am. You can also click here for more details on any of my shows!

Now as always, there are people who helped me to make this show possible.. My thanks go out to...

Kirsten Damned - Your fabulous costumes really made an impact! You are incredible. Thank You! We look forward to our Xmas show cossies too!
Cleo Coupe - Your help creating the soundtrack has been absolutely invaluable. It was great to be able to work with you again. I love you heaps babe!
Vida Las Vegas - Even on the other side of the world, you still managed to be able to help me! Thank you again for sending me the "Keep It Gay" backing track all the way from jolly-old London! Mwah!
Mark - Thank you for helping with the script for the show. Your help was a God-send, as I don't see myself as a writer at all! Mwah!
Stonewall - All of the staff - especially Glen, Penny & Ken for their help and advice.
AVP/ACON - For your advice and support.
My partner - For your love and support. For what has been a long-time dream of mine, you have encouraged me all along the way... I love you deeply!!
Ru Bella & Morgan - Thank you for being the fabulous performers that you both are and for trusting me on creating a show from such a difficult concept. This show means so much to me and I thank you for helping to realize my dream.