Drag War divas to take on Docksiders

An epic battle is about to unfold this Sunday at Docksider’s bar.

The armour? Striking costumes of the most fabulous proportions.

The weapons? Feminine beauty, attitude and “fierceness”.

For the first time in 20 years, a Drag War is to take place in Bermuda.

Most people may have witnessed a dance-off, and now you have the chance to watch a ‘drag-off’, featuring six of the island’s most fabulous queens.

Organizer and host Mark Anderson, aka Queen of Bermuda Sybil Barrington, said people should expect “drama”.

“Anything could happen,” he said.

“You never know what these queens will pull out of their hat to try to win. Only one can win, so the battle is on.

“When it comes to queens, they are vicious. It’s all about attitude and fierceness. It’s all about who is the better performer. And nobody wants to lose.”

Cat fight

Mr Anderson ruled out the possibility of a physical ‘cat fight’, but said: “There will be a catfight in the sense of ‘bringing it’ to the floor, in the sense of performance.”

Drag War takes place in the backroom of Docksider Pub and Restaurant this Sunday at 8pm. Admission is $30, with part proceeds going to the hospice Agape House.

The evening will have two contests. The first features the Drag War between six queens, with a cash prize of $500 for the winner, $250 for the runner-up, and $100 for third place.

The contestants include performers Sheila Showers, Lady Tatiana and Chrissy Dior. But there will be three newcomers to the stage — Lady Allure, Katrina Kiell and a third entrant, who is “still trying to decide on her drag name”, according to Mr Anderson.

They are all Bermudian and aged from early 20s to early 30s.

Each contestant has to mime to a popular song in their performance.

The judges are this reporter and local actresses Rowan Hallock and Jenny Burrell, with the final judge yet to be announced.

If this wasn’t enough drama, there is also a second contest, between the Queen of Bermuda herself and the Queen of Front Street — Rick Olson, owner of The Bermuda Bistro at The Beach.

Mr Anderson said it will be Mr Olson’s first time in drag.

“The battle is on,” he said.

“It’s a contest so he’s not told me what he’s wearing and singing, and vice versa. It’s all about the element of surprise.”

In both contests, the queens will be judged on ‘realness’ — how much they look like a woman.

Mr Anderson said: “They will be judged on their face, their outfit, stage presence, lip sync and their whole demeanour.”

He said all the queens were being very tight-lipped about their costumes and songs.

“We had a meeting the other day and everyone was being very careful not to say anything and only asking me questions outside where the other girls couldn’t hear,” he said.

The event is also a “warm-up” for the May 24 Bermuda Day parade, in which Mark will appear on The Bermuda Bistro at The Beach float as Queen of Bermuda, Sybil Barrington.

He will be joined by Miss Diva Elizabeth Victoria Sanchez III, Peter Profit as The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Frankenfurter, Chrissy Dior, and the winner of Sunday’s Drag War.

The float — which has a beach theme — will also include Mr Olson and the staff from The Beach.

In the Drag War, Mr Anderson does not have a favourite to win, but says each contestant has “their own story to tell”.

“The show will be very entertaining and I’m excited about it,” he said.

“We haven’t had a drag contest in Bermuda since 1991, so that’s two decades ago.”

He said the lack of a “gay” club on the island and an exodus by homosexuals for more tolerant climates was probably behind its absence.

“I guess there wasn’t enough guys to really battle to make it a contest,” said Mr Anderson.

“Most of the guys performing moved to another country because of the way Bermuda is, because they couldn’t be themselves. They left Bermuda to find a more open and free environment for gays.

“This show is an opportunity for the gay community to be themselves but we want everyone to come, because it is all about entertainment and fun.”

Mr Olson was having his legs waxed when the Bermuda Sun spoke to him yesterday.

He said: “I’ve never even been to a drag show and now I’m in one. I think it will be hilarious, but I am getting nervous.

“We’re trying to make it a big party where people can come together. We will do our best to make it a fun night for everyone.”

Reed Young, owner of Docksiders, added: “It’s just something different for us to do here and have  a good time, and see which queen wins.

“Having fun, that’s the name of the game.”