News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: MadelineB on August 26, 2012, 09:21:55 PM Return to Full Version
Title: How 'drag kings' are taking the standup world by storm
Post by: MadelineB on August 26, 2012, 09:21:55 PM
Post by: MadelineB on August 26, 2012, 09:21:55 PM
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How 'drag kings' are taking the standup world by storm
Posted by Nadeem Akhtar
Sunday 26 August 2012 15.00 EDT
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(PHOTO:THE GUARDIAN) Valentino King, aka, Gizell Timpani is a role model for many male impersonators
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/shortcuts/2012/aug/26/drag-kings-standup-women-comedy?newsfeed=true (http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/shortcuts/2012/aug/26/drag-kings-standup-women-comedy?newsfeed=true)
[Drag king Pixie] Truffle believes drag kings could take female standup to the next level. "I certainly think it's a way for women to breach the gender imbalance," says the 42-year-old founder of burlesque group Lesburlesque.
"The lesbian community is often mischaracterised as man-haters, when many of us actually feel a high regard for masculinity," says Truffle. "The essence of drag-kinging is the diminution of femininity but it works so much better if a trace of womanhood is left behind. Just enough to see behind the disguise."
Gizell Timpani, 47, who dons a tuxedo, top hat and goatee to perform as Valentino King, is also perfoming at Manchester Pride and is named as a role model and inspiration for many male impersonators. She... estimates there are 80-90 in Manchester. "Some are performers, some like to cross-dress and can't do it at home," she says. "They haven't got the confidence to perform as females; they are more successful as males in social environments and on stage."
"You feel different in drag, some ownership," says Cumberbatch. "...But the best drag queens celebrate feminity, not mock it, and it's the same with drag kings."
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How 'drag kings' are taking the standup world by storm
Posted by Nadeem Akhtar
Sunday 26 August 2012 15.00 EDT
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.guim.co.uk%2Fsys-images%2FGuardian%2FAbout%2FGeneral%2F2012%2F8%2F24%2F1345822080330%2FValentino-King-aka-Gizell-010.jpg&hash=d2c55aa0cb9b0cdadd2bd4db9ebbc35f818ad525)
(PHOTO:THE GUARDIAN) Valentino King, aka, Gizell Timpani is a role model for many male impersonators
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/shortcuts/2012/aug/26/drag-kings-standup-women-comedy?newsfeed=true (http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/shortcuts/2012/aug/26/drag-kings-standup-women-comedy?newsfeed=true)
[Drag king Pixie] Truffle believes drag kings could take female standup to the next level. "I certainly think it's a way for women to breach the gender imbalance," says the 42-year-old founder of burlesque group Lesburlesque.
"The lesbian community is often mischaracterised as man-haters, when many of us actually feel a high regard for masculinity," says Truffle. "The essence of drag-kinging is the diminution of femininity but it works so much better if a trace of womanhood is left behind. Just enough to see behind the disguise."
Gizell Timpani, 47, who dons a tuxedo, top hat and goatee to perform as Valentino King, is also perfoming at Manchester Pride and is named as a role model and inspiration for many male impersonators. She... estimates there are 80-90 in Manchester. "Some are performers, some like to cross-dress and can't do it at home," she says. "They haven't got the confidence to perform as females; they are more successful as males in social environments and on stage."
"You feel different in drag, some ownership," says Cumberbatch. "...But the best drag queens celebrate feminity, not mock it, and it's the same with drag kings."