4 Female Drag Artists Who Have Shaken Up Cabaret

Drag is not exclusive to one gender, and this week I profile the female drag artists who have made me sit up and pay attention over the years. These woman have helped to shape the cabaret scene, and have performed to a range of LGBTQ audiences from backstreet boozers to summer festivals. If you haven’t seen them perform, you must. 

 


Lisa Lee

One of the founding members of the UK’s finest drag troupe, The LipSinkers, Lisa Lee has been at the forefront of new and innovative cabaret for the past decade. Whilst working at Bistrotheque Lisa joined forces with Richard Batty in 2006 to create The LipSinkers, and UnderConstruction in 2007. Initially the premise of UnderConstruction was a night for them both to workshop new material, which then grew quite organically to involve fellow performers. Eight years on, and always under Lisa’s watchful eye, UnderConstruction continues to aid new and existing performers in producing original material for the stage.

The LipSinkers, now into their third year at the Vauxhall Tavern, bring a unique mix of avant-garde performance and traditional drag flamboyancy with a dash of social/political commentary to their monthly show. The line-up may have changed over the years but that creative spirit has remained omnipresent and their popularity has continued to grow (and rightly so).

 

Rubyyy Jones

The queen of queerlesque, Rubyyy Jones, is a fearless and passionate performer who uses the devices of theatre, lip-sync, striptease, live singing and more to transcend a powerful message to audiences. A performance style that can best be described as manic with a tender lilt, Rubyyy will have you questioning everything you’ve been fed about society’s well-constructed glossy portrayal of femininity and gender.

One of my highlights of 2015 was Save Rubyyy Jones: Electric Eldersss – a celebration of mature female cabaret/burlesque performance. It was an exhilarating showcase full of joy, and a testament to Rubyyy’s hosting and producing skills. As a solo artist Rubyyy has performed all over the UK and Europe examining queer bodies, mental health and personal power. Not content with being a tour de force on the stage Rubyyy is also a facilitator for the UK’s first official queerlesque course, and a mentor to young cabaret artists.

 

Holestar

The most well known of all the female cabaret artists on the LGBTQ scene, ‘tranny with a fanny’ Holestar has performed, DJ’d and thrown parties all over the world since 2003. In 2015 Holestar won Best Drag Act at the London Cabaret Awards. A thoroughly deserved gong for an artist who straddles every corner of the scene, from (and I hate these terms, but needs must) traditional drag pubs to the most alternative of venues.

Holestar’s gender fuckery proves what a glorious expression of individuality drag can be, and the fact that she looks like the most polished drag queen going only adds to the collective scratching of heads in certain circles. Holestar’s stunning vocals, stage presence and sassy attitude captures a room in a heartbeat. Oh, and she’s starred in a documentary ‘Dressed as a Girl’, which is now on general release. Phew!

 

LoUis CYfer 

Drag kings are far and few between on the gay pub drag circuit, but for Lucy Jane Parkinson’s drag alter ego LoUis CYfer that’s where it all began in 2014. A spot at Soho ‘s Admiral Duncan turned into a weekly residency and LoUis soon garnered a following. In the summer of that year Lucy entered LoUis into the national Drag Idol competition, which he won convincingly becoming the first ever drag king winner. A national tour followed, and in 2015 LoUis hit America to perform at the Austin International Drag Festival. It’s been a whirlwind few years for Lucy, also starring in a one-woman show ‘Joan’ whilst continuing to evolve LoUis.

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