Celebrated theatrical group The Drama Queens mark their second birthday this Halloween with a brand new show, Monster Creature Double Feature at The Black Cap. Jason Reid caught up with the imaginative mind behind The Drama Queens, creator and director, Spike Rhodes, to find out more…
Jay: So, Spike, thanks for taking the time out to chat to me. The new show will be taking to the stage on 28th and 29th October. Can you give us a brief run-down of the show?
Spike: The show is set in a small town movie house called ‘Springwood Ritzy’ specialising in running ‘All night horror films’. It’s the tale of two friends, Nancy and Tina, who work as usherettes and get drawn into another dimension… or is it just a dream?
Where did the inspiration for the show come from?
From happy memories of going to places like the Scala in the 80s to see trash, cult classics, horror and science fiction ‘B’ to ‘Z’ styled movies’, that you’ll never see on telly. Me, my mates, a few sneaked in cans of booze, a couple of bottles of poppers… heaven!
How have rehearsals been going? Have you had to crack the whip?
They’re going well, no whips needed. Just one of my ‘looks’ apparently work wonders…
The dreaded ‘look’! So, who will be starring in the new show? Any familiar faces?
We have a couple of people making their debut this show, who are being ‘skillfully’ guided by original members. Tanya Hyde and Mrs. Moore are also teaching everyone how to multi-multitask.
When Titti and I talked about developing a theatrical drag company that was a mix of performers, from the highly experienced to keen novices, we had the intention of creating a ‘theatrical style of drag show’, unique to the company, we had no idea if it would attract anyone’s interest. We decided not to hold auditions, instead casting from ‘group workshops’, which we still do, so it was less intimidating. Two years later, the Drama Queens has evolved into a ‘Theatrical Drag Family’. Everyone who gets involved has a passion for performing and all ’pitch in with the other areas of production, from props to set building. Titti and I have proudly watched as every member developed their own unique performance styles and gained more confidence. The company relies only on the door takings to pay for each production. We have a strong fan base, and we are extremely grateful to the support and to the kindness of our theatrical ‘Angel’, who anonymously donated to the company coffers this year. We’re both very proud of the Drama Queens and I am looking forward to seeing it continually evolve.
Have you learnt anything yourself, as a creative director, in that time?
I’m guilty of sometimes pushing myself too hard and forgetting to ask for help. I’ve also got a ‘twisted’, playful, sometimes bizarre, creative mind, when it comes to the show content, which thankfully both the company and audience like.
The shows always take place in The Black Cap, a bar that has seen the birth of many a star over the years. What does The Black Cap mean to you?
It was one of my first gay pubs I visited, so many special memories. I loved Sunday afternoons with Aunty Flo (Marc Flemming) and Shufflewick. I saw the brilliance of The Harlequeens, Disappointer Sisters and many more who all became friends. But quietly in the darkness, I started to appreciate the craft of what made great drag performers. I hope, today through the Drama Queens, I’m helping to keep some of that craft alive.
SPIKE’S TOP THREE SCARY MUSICALS
‘Sweeney Todd’
The best. A musical and theatrical masterpiece by Stephen Sondheim.
‘Young Frankenstein’
Genius, Mel Brooks turns his brilliant cult movie into a fabulous musical!
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (Original stage version)
Just a brilliant tribute to the original 60s ‘B’ Movie. They don’t come any camper!
• Don’t miss The Drama Queens Monster Creature Double Feature (In Super 3D Drag-A-Rama) on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th October at The Black Cap, 171 Camden High Street, Greater London NW1 7JY.
