Review: King Size Drag

With the proliferation of venues dedicated to or giving up space for drag queens (UK is on its 4th season of Rupaul’s UK Drag Race), it is refreshing to see the emergence of the drag king scene in Scotland. Shut Up & King with support from Creative Scotland last night presented its annual showcase Scotland’s New Kings On The Block at Drygate (near Dennistoun). Over a period of 3 hours, 12 kings ruled the stage and served us pure, unadulterated, concentrated, musky masculinity. From toxic tories and serial lovers through to self-absorbed rockers and dreamers. It was a beautiful, sordid mess - a reflection of a world grinning back at you; not a tenth as pretty as it likes to think it is.

Stand out acts were: Saul Smith with his one hit that, brooking no dissent, he absolutely will not sing…before immediately launching into it of course; Norman Fahquer Esq. needing more money to accompany the millions he already has, while displaying his ‘equality credentials’ by opening toilet facilities for lesbians; Saint Abbs, a moody Clint-Eastwood-esque act who commands attention by cracking a whip; Jack The Strapper, a romantic swarthy lover holding a rose in his hand and an ever-ready chanson on his tongue; and Axl-ISH, a deluded floor sweeper at a rock venue who thinks he’s Axl Rose…until the tannoy kicks in to announce the venue now closed. These are great entertaining acts that made this male laugh at both himself and his fiction-intoxicated brethren.

Through all this levity, there was though room for a little serious thought. Standout act, Poppa Joint read out a beautiful poem on our everyday blindness to disability presenting a truism: disability is not the preserve of a few, it’s not exclusive and knows no boundaries. Sooner or later, it affects us all.

The evening was seamlessly held together by excellent MC, Adam All (all the way from London Town) who reminded us that: female, male, lesbian, gay, trans, bi, intersex, queer, people with disabilities, we are all human…before concluding with a ridiculous rendition of Human by The Killers.

The atmosphere was fun-filled and the audience welcoming. I’ll be back, same time next year…

Scotland’s New Kings On The Block was performed 30th September at Drygate, Glasgow.

https://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/latest-news/archive/2022/06/create-inclusion