If you’re wondering what a drag king is, technically it is a woman portraying a male character. Right back to the 19^th Century when Vesta Tilly sang Champagne Charlie in music halls, women have been poking the borax at masculinity for the entertainment of, usually, other women.  

That’s A drag king. THE Drag Kings Aotearoa are an intrepid troupe of Wellington friends who have been entertaining for nearly twenty years. And with that pedigree, they fully deserve to claim the name.  

But they don’t stop at gender-bending into men. Oooh no. From Elizabeth Marshall’s Drag Queen who is all about the Bass to Cathie Sheat’s Queen Liz 2 and her desire to be as one with the Common People (in a range of quite explicit ways!) to Andy Harness’ Gold Fingered Jane Bond, they are bendier than a bunch of hot yoga experts in a sauna. Not to mention the very supple moves from Marg Tolland’s Ash Buff whose fist pumping and pelvic humping aerobics workout would have scared the leg warmers off Jane Fonda!

Characters pour out of their fertile imaginations and onto the stage. Jac Lynch’s Cardinal Bi Crikey has been taunting us through social media for months and does not disappoint. I for one am seriously sceptical about any vow of celibacy THAT one has made! Val Little’s perpetually pregnant, perpetually smoking Paula Bassinette is just hilarious whether on stage or on video.

Speaking of video, I love the clever use of AV to cover changes and empty stage time. Bringing us the Butchelor, which allowed Toni Regan to join the cast as contestant Gazza from the Hutt, the recurring humour builds throughout the show until we finally get to meet The Butchelor himself. Any shark that may have been swimming by is now well and truly jumped, but in the best and Maddest way.   

Being experienced and seasoned performers, this troupe knows how to shape a show. As well as the many moments of unmitigated hilarity, we get pathos. In a wonderful tribute to gay entertainment icons who have crossed that bridge, Dusty Springfield, George Michaels, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie come back to life briefly for us in rainbow wings.

Not so gay, alive entertainment icons also get their time in the light. A certain ginger-haired, plaid shirt wearing singer currently touring NZ makes a guest appearance and falls in love, not with a Galway Girl either, and there’s a twist for you! 

In a show that is all killer no filler, the act that slays it for me at the end is Andy Harness’ Queer King Dyke. A perfectly remastered song, a clever costume layering surprise after surprise, it is a whole other level of genderf**kery.

I cannot quite believe how much show we get for one evening out. Only six people on stage, but SO many characters, and so well formed, it feels like a cast of hundreds.

And somehow, they manage to be a troupe show as well as a star-studded line up.  I tell you, gender is not the only illusion at play. 

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