Torrevieja Drag Queen Contest a complete success

IT WAS a sold out show on Friday night in Torrevieja’s Municipal Theatre as this year’s Carnival celebrated the third National Drag Queen Contest. The annual event ranks as one of the most ‘outrageous’ but ‘fun’ evenings on offer on the city’s diverse and varied cultural calendar.

If your idea of a typical Drag Queen is one of a glamorous Danny La Rue or maybe even Eddie Izzard, think more Tim Curry and the Rocky Horror Show and for those that missed it, you will possibly have a clearer image in your mind as to what it is all about.

The entire performance is very much in the style of Kenny Everett and his ‘in the best possible taste’ skit, sort of way, more than an event featuring male performers who are trying to be glamorous female impersonators. Last years MC ‘Lady G’ returned to present the event and did so in a very catching purple outfit and outrageous platform heels that would have made even Gary Glitter look like a midget! The show started with a performance from the 2010 winner ‘Pearl’ who also helped co-host the event.

From the moment Lady G entered the stage, the full house of over 600 people, from all walks of life, ages and nationalities, cheered, clapped, sang along and seemed to fully enjoy the occasion. Strutting their stuff were eight participants; Loona, Violet, Buddha Drag, Miss Botox, Lulu Cress, Empire, Blanca Farla and Sparkling Agnes.

Each performer lip-synced, or at least seemed to, to cleverly produced mixes of songs, danced and introduced some very original choreography along with the troop of dancers, some also dressed as ‘drag queens’ but complete with beards, all in the name of good fun!

After the somewhat overlong interval, ‘Lady G’ announced the honors with first prize, worth €1,000 and a trophy going to ‘Buddha Drag’ for his show “The Flemish Opera”; second prize, of €500 and trophy for ‘Empire’ with the fantasy “Spanish Burlesque’ and third prize of €250 to Sparkling Agnes with “Divas of Film”.

This year’s show offered three hours of non-stop entertainment, which still left the audience asking for more. Some of the artists will be making an appearance at this year’s Carnival parade, so watch out for them there and book your tickets early for 2012 to avoid disappointment.