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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGladys Duffy, Rustys Showbar Host. Image credits: Rosie Brennan<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n “people associate makeup with women, which is not the case anymore”<\/p>Gladys Duffy, Rusty’s Showbar Hostess + Drag Queen (She\/Her)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Competitor in Drag Idol Newcastle 2024, \u2018Love Deluxe\u2019 describes the scene as \u201ca melting pot full of every kind of drag you could want\u201d. With established queer-inclusive spaces like Bobby\u2019s Bar, Newcastle\u2019s 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 \u201cthere\u2019s a total abundance of us\u201d in the North East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “a melting pot of every kind of drag you could want”<\/p>Love Deluxe, Drag Queen (they\/he)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The most recent instalment of BBC series \u2018Rupaul\u2019s Drag Race UK\u2019, featured three North East-based queens, Ginger Johnson (Country Durham), Michael Marouli (Newcastle upon Tyne) and Tomara Thomas (Hartlepool), according to The Northern Echo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Love Deluxe is a newcomer to Newcastle\u2019s drag scene, having only been involved for over a year, and said \u201cthe community has done nothing but welcome me with open arms\u201d, commending the support in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The showbar is a development of the popular gay club next door to it, Rusty\u2019s. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rusty’s Showbar exterior, Image credits: Rosie Brennan<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u201cwhen you\u2019re in the North, you do not receive as many opportunities as more cosmopolitan places with a bit more money\u201d and \u201cit takes us all coming together and supporting brand new venues such as this to really give opportunity to young drag artists\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “it’s good to have more space for us to perform”<\/p>Sweet Boy, Drag Artist (they\/them)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The Showbar has been fostering new talent hosting of Drag Idol Newcastle 2024, an annual competition for \u201canyone and everyone interested in drag\u201d to get involved in, according to Gladys, this year\u2019s new Drag Idol Hostess. The six-week competition involves weekly performance challenges to\u00a0 judges Miss Rory, Penni T and PlastiQ, ranging from \u2018Icon Impersonations\u2019 themes to group challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runner-up and self-described \u201cchaotic, camp mess\u201d Bipty P commented on her positive experience throughout the six-week competition, saying \u201cyou really push yourselves to whatever twists and turns they throw at you\u201d, telling audiences to \u201cexpect the unexpected\u201d. Finalist Sweet Boy said \u201cit\u2019s good to have more space for us to perform\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u201cputs things into perspective\u201d when dealing with stress and pressure in life outside of it, as he explains \u201cit\u2019s given me inner strength\u201d. Fellow Drag Society member Bipty P also said \u201cI\u2019ve always felt like I haven\u2019t accepted myself in my own skin, drag allows me to be so authentically myself, the confidence just oozes out of me\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “drag allows me to be so authentically myself”<\/p>Bipty P, Drag Queen (she\/her)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n There are some downsides to the artform. Gladys Duffy said drag can \u201cmassively impact a relationship\u201d , as the late nights, exposure to alcohol and extravagant personas can take a toll on sustaining a healthy relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, Gladys commented drag impacts self-image. She explained \u201cam I neglecting the person underneath? It\u2019s 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\u2019s just time to rest\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I’ve had to take breaks from drag because I’ve run out of money”<\/p>Love Deluxe, Drag Queen (they\/he)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Some Newcastle queens argue that drag takes a financial toll. Love Deluxe claimed \u201cI\u2019ve had to take breaks from drag because I\u2019ve run out of money for general upkeep of things\u201d. Sweet Boy similarly shared they \u201ceven have to take time off work at my day job\u201d as \u201c99% of the time, we\u2019re not being paid enough\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with these drawbacks, Newcastle\u2019s drag scene is flourishing with popularity, thanks to the tireless dedication of the artists behind establishments like Rusty\u2019s Showbar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the new Rusty\u2019s Showbar becoming home to some of the biggest names and best drag artists in the North East, Newcastle\u2019s ever-evolving drag scene…<\/p>\nWhat is the drag scene like in Newcastle?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the Showbar and what can audiences expect from it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy was the Showbar made?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What impact is it having?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What do local queens think about drag?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"