Drags Aloud
Drags Aloud is an Australian drag entertainment troupe.
Drags Aloud[1] is a troupe of performers, originating from Australia which was formed by a co-operative of leading Melbourne (Australia) drag queens in 2005. The members of Drags Aloud are: Amanda Monroe, Jessica James, and Kris del Vayze.[2] Former troupe members include: Linda Lamont, Christina Andrews, Jillette Jones, Jackie Stevens, Miss Bunny and Roxy Bullwinkle. Drags Aloud first received general public acclaim, outside of gay venues, when community television station Channel 31 aired an independently produced late night variety programme titled "Drags Aloud"[3] which featured the well known Melbourne drag troupes the "Showbags" and The Manly Sisters. The series was filmed at Templebar Precinct restaurant in Collingwood. When the Showbags and The Manly Sisters group expanded their cast to present a newer innovative style of narrative drag performance, they renamed themselves Drags Aloud, in reference to the name recognition from their television series.
Drags Aloud operated their own venue at the now defunct Newmarket Hotel in St Kilda where their new style of drag production shows were developed and first presented. They came to national prominence in 2007 when they were the first drag troupe to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, receiving an honorable mention at the Director's Awards and a cash prize. Following their Melbourne International Comedy Season, they were invited to perform at the Gilded Balloon venue in Edinburgh as part of the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe [4] with their satirical production "The Sound of Music Drag Show" lampooning the culture of 'Nazi Musicals'.
In 2008 they consolidated their success with seasons at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In August 2008 they returned to Edinburgh for a second season at the Gilded Balloon for the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, followed by seasons in London's West End (Leicester Square Theatre) and off Broadway at The Theatres at 45 Bleecker . These achievements made Drags Aloud one of the most successful Australian drag shows to date, being the first ever Australian drag show to perform Off-Broadway, and only the second ever Australian drag troupe to perform in West End Theater. Their New York season led to them being invited to open for Joan Rivers in March 2009 show at her comedy show in Melbourne and a resident season for Kris del Vayze at Edinburgh's Priscilla's Cabaret Bar.[5]
Drags Aloud's style of performance was comic-parody, usually performed with a narrative subtext which drew upon popular culture and which satirized their own drag characterizations. Typically they were described as cabaret performers using drag as both medium and message.
In Australia's long history with the drag genre, Drags Aloud was most notable for taking the art of drag from its usual preserve of gay clubs and out to a wider public. Drag differs from female impersonation in that drag is built upon characterization and not impersonation. Female impersonation has been in the general public entertainment arena for many years, however, in Australia drag queens have almost always been found within the exclusive domain of gay hotels and nightclubs. Drags Aloud had a performance style and presentation which consciously attempted to break down barriers between the perception of 'gay minority entertainment' and the wider community concept of 'theatrical entertainment'.
Drags Aloud is the subject of a documentary by renowned documentary producer Linette Etheredge. (see:Wade in the Water)
In 2011 Drags Aloud relocated to Europe to pursue their cabaret performance opportunities with the intention to return to Australia for regular appearances at festivals and for tour dates. In April 2012, with steadily growing success in the UK the group decided to spread their vast bank of talent and set up troupes in both the United Kingdom and Australia, thus beginning a new chapter in the history of this very diverse drag troupe. The United Kingdom troupe,[6] led by founding member Kris del Vayze, will be concentrating on a new show format of live vocals, burlesque, variety and vaudeville entertainment, whilst the Australian branch, led by founding member Jesse James will be continuing the traditional Australian-style of drag performance.