Gallery: Drag Save The King
News Story
At the start of May, the cream of London’s Drag King scene came together to prove that 2023 really is Year of the King. Following a night of incredible performances, no one in attendance was left in any doubt.
For this special counter-coronation themed evening, King Frankie Sinatra hosted an evening with some of the best Drag King performers in London, who all put on one hell of a show.
Starting the night with some stand-up and song, our host King Frankie then welcomed the performers to the stage. First up was Kallum Király, who joined Frankie in a duet, followed by Jamie Fuxx, who lip-synced and thrusted their way through an incredible medley. Sweet FA took to the stage to perform an alternative, Christian version of Anarchy in the UK, with Richard Melanin the Third trotting up after to close out the first half with some exceptional clowning.
During the interval, King Frankie hosted a costume contest, with members of the audience dressing as their favourite King. The winner was, of course, a king prawn. This was followed by a poignant sing-a-long to a rendition of Stand By Your Trans, with King Frankie and the Institute's very own Al Dente leading the audience.
The second act got underway with Dilly Boi doing a hilarious spoken word lip-sync and dance performance, followed by Mal Content, Venus As A Boi, and Tawdry Hepburn performing treasonously good songs. The whole evening was closed with King Frankie joining the band for a performance of the Sex Pistols' God Save the (Queen) King, and all the performers taking to the stage, as a sign reading 'Queer Future For You' was unfurled.
Check out the gallery of Orlando Myxx's photos from the night below.
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King Frankie Sinatra singing
Credit : Orlando Myxx
The audience at Drag Save the King
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Kallum Király and King Frankie
Credit : Orlando Myxx
The audience at Drag Save the King
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Jamie Fuxx performing
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Jamie Fuxx humping
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Sweet FA on their ukulele
Credit : Orlando Myxx
The audience at Drag Save the King
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Richar Melanin the Third trots onto the stage
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Richard Melanin the Third raising a toast
Credit : Orlando Myxx
a prawn wins the costume contest
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Al Dente on the keys
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Dilly Boi's performance
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Later in Dilly Boi's performance
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Venus As A Boi, Tawdry Hepburn and Mal Content on stage
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Mal Content with their violin
Credit : Orlando Myxx
The audience at Drag Save the King
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Tawdry Hepburn absorbing the action
Credit : Orlando Myxx
Venus As A Boi belting it out
Credit : Orlando Myxx
The full cast on stage for the finale
Credit : Orlando Myxx
The full cast posing for a photo
Credit : Orlando MyxxThis was a raucous night of laughter and singing, with one or two important messages backing it all up. It was a night that could definitely be described as all heir, and no spare.
For more drag events at Bishopsgate Institute, be sure to check out the launch event for Orlando Myxx's archive. Details below.
Dragging the Archive: Queens, Kings... and Things on Thursday 8 June celebrates the launch of the Orlando Myxx archive through an exploration of drag in relation to archives.
The evening will include a Performative Lecture by Elly Clarke that will drag you through screenings of Orlando Myxx’ The Plastic Drag, live performances by King Frankie Sinatra and Shakona Fire, and a discussion about creating, curating and caring for the queer archive.
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