Cabaret correspondent Jason Reid gets to know the new drag king on the block. New king on the block Kallum Király is here to serve up stunning vocals and bisexual panda realness. He caught the drag bug after enrolling in Michael Twaits’ widely recommended Art Of Drag course. This week I got to know more about Kallum’s world…
Who is Kallum Király?
Kallum is an all-singing, all-flirting drag king. He’s awkward and charming all at the same time.
How and why did you get into drag?
I only started performing as a drag king a year ago. I’m still a baby! I did theatre at university but due to a number of reasons I’d buried the idea of being on the stage. Last year I enrolled in the Art of Drag course on the recommendation of someone – it pulled me through an incredibly low bit in my life, and drag kept me plodding on. So I’ll keep on doing it.
Sum up your performance style in three words.
Bisexual panda realness.
Personal highlight of your career so far?
Performing at the Underbelly London for the Art of Drag Showcase – the course connects you to so many inspiring artists; it’s like having a bit of a drag family
Top three drag inspirations?
For looks, Vesta Tilley – Victorian music hall performer. For sheer magnificence, Gladys Bentley – 1920s black, lesbian king. And for loveliness, Adam All – he›s an inspiration for creating opportunities and supporting others on the king scene.
What would you de-invent?
Brexit and Snapchat
The best thing about being a drag king is?
Expressing euphoric bits of your gender and people clapping at you for it.
The worst thing about being a drag king is?
We’re not as mainstream, so big bookings are few and far between. BOOK YOUR KINGS, PLEASE. I need to pay my gas bill.
You have a brilliant voice. What’s your favourite song to sing and why?
This is so hard! At the moment I’ve had a Tina Turner version of ‘Can’t Stand the Rain’ running round in my head.
What makes you happy?
Babybels, cava and George Michael.
Fave new performer right now?
Tito Bone! They are an extremely talented blind bisexual king.
If you could only read one book, watch one movie and listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Book: Tipping The Velvet.
Movie: Die Hard.
Album: Wham – Make It Big.
What’s the drag dream?
For the wider community – I want to see a king on Rupaul’s Drag Race. We deserve to be represented in the mainstream. Looking at Ru with side-eye for season two…
The world would be a better place without!
Fossil fuels and undercooked eggs.
What advice would you give to new drag kings just starting out?
The community is strong and your drag is valid.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I collect ugly teapots – the type that look like houses. They come to festivals with me.
Kallum Király will be performing at Shady Mushroom’s Christmas Spectacular at The Honor Oak Pub, 1 St. Germans Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 1RH on Friday 29th November.
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