With the new Rusty’s Showbar becoming home to some of the biggest names and best drag artists in the North East, Newcastle’s ever-evolving drag scene is becoming increasingly publicised into the city’s mainstream culture. But what does this extravagant underbelly of queer culture involve, and who are the artists behind it?
What is drag?
Drag is commonly mistaken as the art of female impersonation, but Rusty’s Showbar hostess and drag queen Gladys Duffy says this is “only because people associate makeup with women, which is not the case anymore, it’s 2024”. President of Newcastle University’s Drag Society and part-time drag performer Dan Chester (also known as “sexy, funny, stupid” queen, ‘The Cocalily’) sees drag more as “mocking society’s expectations of women”, rather than impersonating women themselves, arguing that drag is “beyond human”.
Gladys Duffy, Rustys Showbar Host. Image credits: Rosie Brennan
“people associate makeup with women, which is not the case anymore”
Gladys Duffy, Rusty’s Showbar Hostess + Drag Queen (She/Her)
What is the drag scene like in Newcastle?
Competitor in Drag Idol Newcastle 2024, ‘Love Deluxe’ describes the scene as “a melting pot full of every kind of drag you could want”. With established queer-inclusive spaces like Bobby’s Bar, Newcastle’s longest running gay bar The Yard and the newly-opened Showbar, it is buzzing with variation. Drag artist Sweet Boy, describing themselves as clown, cartoon and villain-inspired said “there’s a total abundance of us” in the North East.
“a melting pot of every kind of drag you could want”
Love Deluxe, Drag Queen (they/he)
The most recent instalment of BBC series ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race UK’, featured three North East-based queens, Ginger Johnson (Country Durham), Michael Marouli (Newcastle upon Tyne) and Tomara Thomas (Hartlepool), according to The Northern Echo.
Love Deluxe is a newcomer to Newcastle’s drag scene, having only been involved for over a year, and said “the community has done nothing but welcome me with open arms”, commending the support in the community.
What is the Showbar and what can audiences expect from it?
The showbar is a development of the popular gay club next door to it, Rusty’s. Formerly Blonde Barrel, it is a cabaret bar open until late each weekend, with 1-2 hours of entertainment, ranging from resident drag queens to impersonators, comedians and even British icon Mr.Blobby. A bottomless brunch drag bonanza is also available on Saturdays, where guests can expect non-stop karaoke, extravagant performances, cocktails, food and prosecco.
Rusty’s Showbar exterior, Image credits: Rosie Brennan
Why was the Showbar made?
Gladys Duffy (Nathan Lough) highlighted one of the aims of the new bar was to create even more opportunities for drag acts in the North East, noting “when you’re in the North, you do not receive as many opportunities as more cosmopolitan places with a bit more money” and “it takes us all coming together and supporting brand new venues such as this to really give opportunity to young drag artists”.
“it’s good to have more space for us to perform”
Sweet Boy, Drag Artist (they/them)
What impact is it having?
The Showbar has been fostering new talent hosting of Drag Idol Newcastle 2024, an annual competition for “anyone and everyone interested in drag” to get involved in, according to Gladys, this year’s new Drag Idol Hostess. The six-week competition involves weekly performance challenges to judges Miss Rory, Penni T and PlastiQ, ranging from ‘Icon Impersonations’ themes to group challenges.
Runner-up and self-described “chaotic, camp mess” Bipty P commented on her positive experience throughout the six-week competition, saying “you really push yourselves to whatever twists and turns they throw at you”, telling audiences to “expect the unexpected”. Finalist Sweet Boy said “it’s good to have more space for us to perform”.
What do local queens think about drag?
Up-and-coming showbar performers and full-time resident queens alike feel drag has impacted their lives outside of it. Dan Chester commented that doing drag “puts things into perspective” when dealing with stress and pressure in life outside of it, as he explains “it’s given me inner strength”. Fellow Drag Society member Bipty P also said “I’ve always felt like I haven’t accepted myself in my own skin, drag allows me to be so authentically myself, the confidence just oozes out of me”.
“drag allows me to be so authentically myself”
Bipty P, Drag Queen (she/her)
There are some downsides to the artform. Gladys Duffy said drag can “massively impact a relationship” , as the late nights, exposure to alcohol and extravagant personas can take a toll on sustaining a healthy relationship.
Additionally, Gladys commented drag impacts self-image. She explained “am I neglecting the person underneath? It’s Gladys who gets all the glory and its Nathan who spends the days on the sofa, feeling a bit tired, a bit achy, a bit down because the shows are over and now it’s just time to rest”.
“I’ve had to take breaks from drag because I’ve run out of money”
Love Deluxe, Drag Queen (they/he)
Some Newcastle queens argue that drag takes a financial toll. Love Deluxe claimed “I’ve had to take breaks from drag because I’ve run out of money for general upkeep of things”. Sweet Boy similarly shared they “even have to take time off work at my day job” as “99% of the time, we’re not being paid enough”.
Even with these drawbacks, Newcastle’s drag scene is flourishing with popularity, thanks to the tireless dedication of the artists behind establishments like Rusty’s Showbar.