Drag Idol UK 2023 is about to begin its national stages.
Twenty-four venues have taken part with over 300 contestants nationwide, and it’s been very exciting to follow this year. But now the venues have all completed their selection process and are putting their representatives forward for the national battle!
Martha D’Arthur has been posting weekly bulletins to keep Drag Idol fans abreast of the action across the country. She told us, “It’s been very exciting to watch the development of this year’s talent. We’ve had a wonderfully eclectic mix of styles, performers and offerings, and it’s been fantastic to see some acts putting some miles in and showcasing their talents in different cities, which is smart!”
Son Of A Tutu, the face of the national contest, will be hosting each of the semi-finals, and the Grand Final told us, “It’s a Golden Age of Drag, and this has been reflected in the breadth and depth of talent, people and genres showcased this year. We’ve had Drag Kings, Queens and non-gender conforming contestants; lip synch assassins, comedy geniuses, musical theatre phenoms, burlesque sorcery, and acts that incorporate BSL; we’ve had sequins, tucking, binding, camel toes, moose knuckles, sweat and blood. The blood was not mine, but the moose knuckle might have been.”
“I can’t wait to see how they take it up a notch or two during the imminent national semi-final heats and the grand final. This year will not produce just one, but a handful of great acts with glittering careers ahead of them!”
Today, Drag Idol UK have announced the 24 national semi-finalists and where they are competing next:
At Via, Manchester on Thursday 1st June; Blu Romantic (Eden Bar, Birmingham), Delicious Lee Extra (The Admiral Duncan, London), Will Power (The Village Inn, Birmingham), Gloria Love (Bobby’s, Newcastle) and Cherry Good (Rosie’s, Chester).
At The Eden Bar, Birmingham on Saturday 3rd June; Dame Alan (The George & Dragon, Greenwich, London), Alix Atlantis (The Brewers, Manchester), Gladys Duffy (The Cockatoo Club, Manchester), Aura Gasm (The Old Ship Limehouse, London), Traya Buns (The Dukes Head, Great Yarmouth) and Tonya Kneez (Via, Manchester).
At John The Unicorn, Peckham, London on Sunday 4th June; The Tiny Gent (Halfway II Heaven, London), Clare Deloon (Charles Street Tap, Brighton), Fruit & Fibre (Mary’s, Cardiff), Rhoda Kill (The Northcote, London), Moira Less (The Chequers, London), Mandy Anne Ket (Fleet Street, Plymouth) and Persephone (The Forbidden Fruit, Hastings).
At Mary’s, Cardiff on Thursday 8th June; Amaya Napa (The Two Brewers, London), Glitzy Von Jagger (Central Station, London), That Girl (John The Unicorn, London), Trudy Night (Sundowners, Margate), Skinny Jean (Sherlocks, Blackpool) and Mary O’Kart (The London Hotel, Southampton).
The Runners-up at each semi-final will then be invited to a wildcard semi-final at The Admiral Duncan, London on Tuesday 13th June, where the winner here will join all 4 semi-final winners at the Grand Final at the Two Brewers, London on Thursday 22nd June where one will be crowned this year’s Drag Idol Champion.
We’ll be keeping an eye on Martha’s bulletins for the latest news on the Drag Idol UK Instagram account and Facebook for Drag Idol UK and we’ll be interviewing the 5 grand finalists before the big event, so keep your eyes peeled and good luck to all the semi-finalists.
