It’s glitz, glam and glamour! Meet Canberra’s diverse drag cabaret show
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Run and organised by the fabulous Guy Alias, this empowering cabaret celebrates diverse characters in its inclusive community.
Meet Lea Maddocks: super mum by day to two fantastic kids, and super fabulous Drag King by night.
What had originated as a bit of fun between friends three years ago has now garnered a following, with monthly performances from Guy Alias and a diverse drag cabaret show at Smiths Alternative promising nothing short of a good time for audience and performer alike.
But it hasn’t always been easy. As Lea began her exploration of the scene some years ago, there was only one other Drag King in Canberra.
“They had a really rough go of it, not being welcomed. Or at least being given a bit of a cold shoulder in some drag spaces where it was Queen’s only,” Lea says. “There’s just so many different types of ways people can express themselves through drag and having a space for them to do that—I think it’s very valuable.”
Lea still finds herself explaining the definition of a Drag King to others and hopes to change the stigma surrounding the community. After gaining her footing within the industry, she has created a safe space for people to discover themselves through alter egos, characters, and (of course), plenty of rhinestones! For her, Guy has been a bridge to acknowledging that she’s so much more than just ‘someone’s mum’.
“He’s sort of become more and more me in a very funny way. There’s a lot more femininity and colour and fabulousness.”
It is her hope that her shows will encourage others to give drag a go and embrace a whole new side of themselves.
“Folks are really happy to have a try, and there’s been several people who have come out here and gone ‘let’s try drag, or being a performer of some sort’,” she says.
“And then they really find themselves on stage that gives them the confidence to not only go in but be more confident in day to day… People have discovered who they really are through that. Some people have transitioned afterwards. They’re really finding their true selves on stage.”
Lea herself is neurodivergent and it’s been really important to her that people of all backgrounds feel seen and accepted within the community, regardless of how they look or identify.
“I live with ADHD, so we do have a lot of neurodiverse people,” she says.
“We’ve got people of all bodily abilities who’ve been on stage. People of different cultures who’ve incorporated the culture into their performance. And that’s really beautiful.”
So, what can we expect from a show?
“Be prepared to scream and shout… I think one thing I really love about the shows we always do is that the more the crowd gets involved, the more we give back to them.”
An the best part? Each month comes with a new, fun theme. The Simpsons with a hint glitz, glam and glamour? Yes please!
Find Guy on Instagram at @guy_alias and Facebook @GuyAliasDrag.
Photo credits to Nathan J Lester and Lea Maddocks.
