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I've always got a DVD of the show. And, uh, my day job is an teacher. I teach English to, uh, international students, and sometimes I'll show them the DVD of the show. And I'll say, OK, which ones are the guys and which ones are the girls and which of the girls are actually guys? And how does how does that go? Oh, great. Debates over it. Really. Is it really a girl? Yeah. Are you sure? Yes, I'm sure. But what about that one? Is it really a guy? Yes, it is. He's a guy. [00:00:30] If you hear him speak, he's talking like this. Hello. So it's, uh it's good fun. The first ones you were in the audience. Can you describe what the kind of feeling was like, Oh, it was great. Um, the first time I went was the very first time they had poise, and the energy coming off the stage was, you know, the audience and the and the performance for feeding off each other and you're always waiting to see Oh, it was really good. What's gonna come next? So it was great. Yeah. Were there any memorable moments in that performance? [00:01:00] Um the swimsuit parade was was good fun. I remember that. And, uh, that was, uh, was that act one or was act Act two? But I, I remember all these guys in in various sorts of one and two piece swimsuits and that that that was fun. A bit scary, but fun. The costumes are amazing, aren't they? I mean, the the amount of work that goes into those they are. We're really lucky we just get measured up. And, um, we do a little bit of sewing ourselves or [00:01:30] a little bit of, but it's mostly done for us. Whereas the individual performers, uh, the girls all do their own outfits. See, for example, in the head gear of nations, what we have to do is, uh, walk them off and on, and they might They might give us a little bit of, um, something to wear. For one year. One where I was, for example, I had Miss Venezuela and where she was Miss Angel Falls. And so we had, uh, wings on angel wings on and angel halos. So if they [00:02:00] if the girls want to give us extra bits for our costumes, you know, that's fine. we're quite happy to put those on. Uh, last time I was with, uh, having the Super City who was actually in a wheelie bin. So I had to put on one of those orange vests in the hard hat and wheel, wheel her out and be careful not to sort of drop her. Fortunately, she wasn't too heavy, but, uh, the couple of times the momentum nearly got away from me. What are the key things to make a good boy on stage? Um, don't be [00:02:30] too self conscious. Ok, uh, be very flexible fit in because you're there to support the the girls and make them look good. And, um, try not to wind the director up more than necessary. OK, a little bit every now and then it's fine. But, uh, yeah, you know, just fit in and and help out as much as you can. And and, you know, if you see somebody you know needs a hand, just go and give it Can you take me back to the the first time that you got involved as a boy [00:03:00] and just take me through the whole process in terms of going through the rehearsals and then getting on to stage. Take me. Yeah, sure. Um, I can't quite remember where we were rehearsing, but, um, it was sort of a meet and greet and, um, talked to some other. You know, you talked to some other boys who had been there for quite a while since the beginning when it was queen of a whole Pacific. It started out at Sky City, I believe, and then moved on to the A A centre. Um, [00:03:30] yeah. So it was just sort of meet everybody and, uh, eyes, eyes wide eyed and be geared and all that kind of thing. And, uh, when they with the dance steps, I sort of thinking, you know, we let's do it again. Let's do it again. Let's do it again. Oh, God. OK, so going through all that process when they said we're going to learn five dances And after the first one, you thought my God, that was hard enough. How am I going to learn another four? [00:04:00] Um, yeah, but you could actually see it coming together. And once we had a got to the stage where we could sort of run the whole first act, The opening scene. That's the biggest part. The opening number is the everybody's on stage. Almost all the time. The rest of the show. You're not on stage that much. And, um, excuse me, Um, so, yeah, that when When [00:04:30] having been in shows before and rehearsed scenes here and there I could actually, I knew the process. And to see it all come together more smoothly after six weeks was really good. You know, you think Oh, we're getting somewhere. And I remember these dance steps, and I wasn't the only 10! Oh, yeah. I wasn't the only one who cocked it up. That's always a relief. Those first rehearsals had you ever been in such a large group of, uh, gay, lesbian or [00:05:00] whoever you know, such a diverse group before? No. No. I had been in on large groups and, um, other Some other shows have been with crowd scenes. And, uh, but no, not a not a whole bunch of, uh, G BT people. What was that like? Um, no different, Really. Some of the jokes are a bit saucy and, uh, all the for the double entendres people would make. And we could all laugh at them mainly at ourselves as well, but and then [00:05:30] they gave a good sense of camaraderie as well. So, yeah, you felt sort of felt a bit more of I wouldn't say family. That's a bit cliche, but it felt there was a friendlier atmosphere than some of the other shows have been. And no, there weren't any PRI Madonnas or any divas. Um, you know, sort of a kiwi thing. I go, you know, get everybody get on with it. You know, had you ever experienced that in the gay community before? In terms of that, that kind of being the size? No, [00:06:00] because I'm not really, uh, out and about in the gay scene as much as I was when I was single. And, uh, no, I just I wasn't sort of a a clubbing person or an event person. Even when I've been to the the big gang out and, you know, just sort of wander around and eat the dogs and and, uh, wear my my t-shirt. That says destiny Church. Even worse than Scientology? Um, no, that no. [00:06:30] One of the other things with that diverse group of people is that you're also taking people that maybe have not performed before. And you've also got experienced performers. How does how does that work? Um, you pretty much You just ask people. You know, Have you been in a show before? And if you haven't, you say, Oh, you don't worry. You know, you got the hang of it. Trust me. If I can do it, you can do it. So it's it's helping them along, especially the young ones who are a bit nervous. And you say, Oh, just just watch your old uncle and I'll show you what to do kind of thing. So, [00:07:00] yeah, we keep an eye on the new new ones and especially the younger ones as well. And, uh, just make sure. And afterwards, you know you're picking it up, Don't worry. And that kind of thing. So a bit of gentle encouragement. What kind of age range? Um, from 18 to guys. And they almost 70? I think so. Yeah, pretty pretty good time with it. And that must make choreographing something quite interesting in terms of having all those different abilities. It does. It does because when you actually you think you're dancing well and [00:07:30] when you see yourself on stage. It looks like you're walking around with a broom. Shove up your ass. But, uh, uh, unfortunately, we haven't had to worry about fitting in any, um, Zimmer frames at this stage that that'll come. Um, it's it's not too bad, because the choreographers we've we've been very fortunate to have some very, very patient choreographers. I would be pulling my hair out if I were them. What little remains, Um, so, yeah, they've been very patient. I'm sure they must go home and knock off a half a bottle of Bombay [00:08:00] gin afterwards. But, uh, we've been very fortunate, and they've taken us, You know, if there's, like, four lines which will make sure the A line at a time, you know, do you know what to do? And that's why we have the long and the number of vessels we do so that you know, you've only got one chance to the doping number. And, uh, judging by all the screaming and yelling and clapping, we usually get it right length of rehearsal. So? So [00:08:30] how far out for opening night do you start? Uh, three months, which is It's sort of the first meeting And then the show is blocked, as any show is, Um, and depending on what your role is like, last year was the first time I've been involved in an act two, part of the show because I wanted to do that after Because as a boy, uh, essentially, you're the only part of an act two you're involved in is is carrying out the tiaras and the flowers. And [00:09:00] other than other than that, you can sit up in the up in the gods and watch the show or downstairs. Um, so it was something I wanted to do. Um, so that was extra rehearsals because I would rehearse. I was part of, uh, Miss Francis Group. So we would rehearse earlier, and then after then we we'd go to the we be at the same venue, but we'd get there, like, an hour and a half earlier. So we do our thing, and then everybody else would arrive. So yeah, that that was a big time commitment. And [00:09:30] unfortunately, I couldn't do it this year because I'm busy with 30 or 40 other things. Uh, so, yeah, it It all depends, of course. How much with an Act two person, how much they want to put into it. But as as the whole show, it's really good because, you know, after four weeks when they say right, we're going to do song Number one, you go, Oh, yeah, fine, Great. And so you do that little thing and then you go on to number two and you think Left left. Oh, no, no, the other left. [00:10:00] But we we get there and it's It's not a drag, you know, you don't it's It's a commitment, you know, And you've made the commitment to be part of the group to be there. And unless there's something really major on that, you can't get out of it. And you should. You know, you have to email Jonathan and say, You know, look sorry, I just can't get there because so and such and such has happened. But I think, and all the shows I've been that I've missed possibly two rehearsals, Yeah, because to me it's, you know, it's, uh, you know, [00:10:30] you've made as I say, you've made that commitment and it's an integrity thing as well. You know, you don't want to get people down, because if I was on the issues. If somebody didn't turn up, I'd be miffed, to put it mildly officially, if the same person just gave me the excuse three times I'm like, That's it. So in the course of a week, how how much? How many hours would you be spending rehearsing, Uh, once we get closer? It's twice a week, usually Thursday, an evening and Sunday afternoon. So 56 [00:11:00] hours a week, maybe a bit longer. And that's for the, uh, Act one act one opening number. Mostly. And then Act two is actually when specific performers take groups or groups of people. Because Act two, there's the talent section, the interview section and the performance. So, uh, you might want might be a little bit of that, but but in the performance that's your main role there. Supporting, um, excuse me, supporting the, uh, the person through their dance [00:11:30] numbers so that that's a big thing of it. Uh, Act one is the opening number and the, uh, order for the head gear of nations who who is escorting who kind of thing. So they just sort of pee you off with people, and then you just get that road in the road order. And because there's say, for example, 10 boys, 10 or 12 boys. And there's, like, 30 girls. You have to as soon as you get off order one if you've got to sprint around [00:12:00] the back of the stage and grab the next one. But luckily, the stage crew has got us all sorted out for that. So thank God they're great. They do a great job. Have there been any mishaps behind it? Yeah, a couple of times. Uh uh. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I remember 11 rehearsal. We, um we were doing the opening number, and, uh, it was actually it was dress rehearsal. And, uh, us boys had on kind of like leather miniskirts essentially, [00:12:30] and we were running around on a circle, and mine just completely fell off, and mine was the only one that did. And Jonathan just about had a huge laughing effect. If he wasn't drag, then he was He could see his mascara running, but, uh, yes. I think I've got a somewhat of a, uh, it entirely undeserved reputation for doing the odd dropping the odd clanger. I have no idea why. And then your role changes a wee bit in Act two. Where you're actually supporting a single? [00:13:00] Yes, Yes. In Act two last year where I was part of the Miss France Team France be It's nice. Um, yeah, it was more a, uh, again, we we blocked that and we had a had a very good choreographer help us. And, uh, each performer, I think had five minutes on stage, so we had a routine that ran for four minutes and 58 seconds. So again, there it was, um, but however [00:13:30] they choose to tell their story, um, you just sort of fiddle with that and, you know, maybe four or five different characters. So again, it's a matter of running behind the backdrop, you know, doing a little bit doing the dance, and then behind the backdrop, change costume, come back on the other side, you know, off and on. Off and off, off and on. That kind of thing. Do the act two girls take it seriously in terms of, um because II I understand that in act one, you've got the head gear of nations. You see all the girls [00:14:00] and then a lot of the girls don't get through to Act two and the Act two girls know they're getting through to Act two. Correct. But they don't know who's going to win. No. So do the act two girls take it seriously. You know the amount of work that goes into it? Um uh, because, you know, not only is it's bragging rights, of course. Nice trophy to put on your mental piece. Uh, you know, and photos for your Christmas cards. But, uh, yeah, it's it's, uh, I If, you know, if I was going to be an Act two girl, I'd be in it to [00:14:30] win. Definitely. And, uh, they they're competitive. But again, there's still no divas. You know, there's no, um, there's no bitch fights in the in the back alleys or hissy fits or anything like that. Um, you know, everybody's pretty much just focused on their team because there's just so much to do that, you know, you don't really care what the others are doing. I have sat in the audience after you know, before and after our number, and and sort of punch them and go Oh, that's cool. But, um, it [00:15:00] hasn't had any influence. I haven't sort of come running. No one's come running into the changing room and said, Do you know what Miss Guadalupe is doing this year? Things like that. So, I, I would think that with the amount of effort they want, they would expect to, you know, why would you do it if you weren't serious? Because even the third prize, you get a nice, you know, bottle, bottle, bottle bubbles. And some, you know, a weekend away at a country lodge and the B and B or something like that. And so the two girls they have to come up with [00:15:30] the choreography, the design, the yeah, everything, the whole shebang, the set. They have to design the set. They have to, uh, submit quite a detailed plan to Jonathan. Um, in fact, to get through and, um, saying how many? Because I think they're allowed to to bring. I think they're allowed 10 in the crew, possibly and half of them are allowed to be outsiders. So But we were all, uh, we were all part of act all. Everybody in this team [00:16:00] of France was in the show already anyway. So where others have actually brought in you know, maybe one or two professional dancers or people with certain skills. I. I remember, uh, a couple of years ago, M to brought in a Tongan culture group to sit there and do a proper dance in a proper and respectful way to the Tongan people. So, uh, she was the main main focus, of course. But they were the proper Tongan girls dressed as they would be in Tonga for a similar occasion. Similar occasion, Um, [00:16:30] for a certain occasion. And, um, they were doing their thing and and they were dressed properly and, you know, they were fine. They they thought they were having a great time. You could see them downstairs in the changing room. It's a huge giggle watching these men up, running around in tights, up and down the corridors and skirts and other things. So, yeah, yeah, it's good. The amount of work and planning that goes into it is obviously very detailed. Um, it's not something, you know. I think some [00:17:00] people must begin planning for the next show, possibly two or three months after the previous ones finished. Judging by the amount of work you see and you've never had a kind of a even just a flash in your head thinking Oh, actually, I want to be an Act two girl or No, no. Well, not so much an Act two girl, but I was trying to think, you know, what would I call myself? Because they come, You know, all the names and I've helped other people with their names because all these ideas keep popping into my head, [00:17:30] like one year. Um, Miss Russia didn't have a very good name. So you, you sky something like that. So, um, it's it's I just sort of, you know, what would I be? I just just as a you know, it's just a fun exercise we've sort of sat down with, you know, the bus boys. You know, if you're on a two, what name would you have kind of thing. And so we just do any changing room and we were sort of thinking up or, you know, if it's a bit quiet [00:18:00] between just but that's about as far as that's gone, I've never had the, uh, the slightest urge to put on some rouge and pat up and get my big bum out there. Can you recall any other favourite names? Um, let's see. Not off the top of my head. No. Although, you know, I spent a bit of time, [00:18:30] um, thinking about my name for this year. So, uh, it's good. I've decided to be, uh, in the programme. You've got your name, and then you've got a wee bio underneath. Uh, last year I was Rufus T Firefly, Which is, of course, Groucho Marx from duck Soup. And so I made as many references to the Marx Brothers in my bio as I could. You know, after a night at the operates today at the races kind of thing. Um, And this year, I've decided to be Uncle Clary. Everyone's got a dodgy uncle, [00:19:00] so that will let me keep them short. But I do have, um I do have an I. When I first started out on the programme, I was boy number 10. And, uh, now, last year I moved up to boy number six, and this year, I should be boy number two. So I'm gradually moving up the boy boy number list. But I can't knock Terry off because he's been there since the beginning. He'll be boy number one I'm sorry, Ronnie. Pardon me, Ronnie. Ronnie. Not Ronnie. Terry. Because he was telling soft and easily pulled. [00:19:30] So, uh, Ronnie is still number one. Although at the moment as we speak, he is on holiday in South America. So who knows what will happen over there? It sounds like, um, you must have some amazing nights just coming up with these concepts in terms of names and bios, and they're great fun. Yeah, Yeah, but you you've got to keep it down to less than 50 words. And, uh, so I would I would like to be, um, be Jonathan and sort of get all these. It's not until you actually see See a mock up of the programme that you actually [00:20:00] get three people's buyers, But I actually have helped a few others out with, uh, with ideas for this Quite creative in that area. You mentioned earlier that you've worn a number of costumes as a boy, and I'm just wondering, can you can you tell me? Describe some of the other costumes that you had to wear? Uh, yeah. First year we wore, um, sorry. The first year I was in a pardon me, we had uh, it's a [00:20:30] We had white undies, and we had, uh, uh, dark blue leather chats with sparkles on them and a dark blue waistcoat. And the hat, we sort of looked like, um, rejects from the village people. Well, not quite that bad, but, like, 10 or 12 of us, and we're all different sizes. I'm a bit on extra cuddly size myself, and there's guys with hairs, and but what? Whatever we're wearing, as soon as the boys come out, especially when the boys do their own number, the crowd just goes nuts. [00:21:00] Just scream, and they love it. We've had to wear, uh, sailor suits and my head kept for coming off because it was a pain. Um, what else have we want? Yeah, I'm just thinking. Hm. Uh, what could be last year? Oh, we've worn Sort of, as I say, the the skirts with different coloured vests, like, you know, uh, faux fur kind of things, but, uh, yeah, yeah. I'm quite happy [00:21:30] to do whatever they stick me in. Oh, my bum looks so big in this. Has this ever been Has there ever been a costume that you thought? Oh, my goodness. I'm not gonna wear that, or, uh, it was mainly just the the fishnet stockings inside the, um So the Doc Martin boots. And, uh, it was it was the, um We had to use double sided tape to keep the socks up. And, uh, I was glad it was only, uh, two. Twice. I had to wear [00:22:00] those for the dress rehearsal and for the, um, for the show. Excuse me. Because taking off the tape. Yeah, of course. Fair bit of your leg here. So, um yeah, yeah, a few things. You know, you thought as you sit down, some people in the audience might get an eye, but, hey, you know, that's the That's why you pay extra money for the stores. So was your lucky day. Has there ever been anything that's really challenged you that that that's kind [00:22:30] of pushed your boundaries in terms of I don't want to do this or, uh, I've never done this before, and I'm really freaking out about it. Or, um, just the first time when we started, uh, the first time when we were on stage and I'm just in as I said, That costume with the spark sequins and the the waistcoat and the chaps. And I've just got my undies on And I'm thinking, Well, all those people have never seen me in my underwear. They're about [00:23:00] to, But the music started up. And, um, you know, you start doing your dance steps and you more. I was more concentrating on my dance steps because for some strange reason, we were wearing flippers over our doc Martins. And I was more worried about standing on something or whipping it too far to the right. And this person in the third row would get a flip on the face. Um, yeah, yeah, I was a little bit, um, but the actions about that. But the other people [00:23:30] in the in the group were very supportive and, you know, go, Jerry. Yeah, you're doing well and dance steps and all that kind of thing. So after after that, you thought, Oh, that wasn't so bad. So that was the only thing you know. After that, you go whatever. It's not a big deal. It's quite liberating, actually, because if you can do something like that, even though there's three or four people in the audience, you know, most of them don't. Unfortunately, they're very loud. So you've [00:24:00] been out for a few drinks beforehand. I should tell a Mexican cafe if anybody's going to the university at the minute we had too many to kill the shooters by that stage. Yeah, I. I could tell when my friends were sitting in about five seconds. It must be quite nice to know, though, that that you've got people in the audience. Yeah, that's great. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know, especially. But it's a bit embarrassing when they cheer more for you. Here's Miss so and so and they walk out and people are supposed to be clapping for hearing [00:24:30] the three half a dozen people screaming really loud, right? It's a bit of a wave there. That's good fun, though, So from the rehearsal process, it moves into the kind of production stage. Yes, tell me about that. How How's it moving into the theatre? Uh, it's good because the hall or any any any practise space. Um, [00:25:00] even though you might have the dimensions of the stage, you don't. Actually, being in the theatre is a whole bit new experience because you've got the the depth of the audience in front of you even when the theatre and even even when it's empty. Uh, usually the ceiling is higher. You've got, uh, more backstage you've got, and you actually can see now. All right, this is where I go on this is where I go off, and, um, you've got a better idea of it's It's more real, [00:25:30] obviously. But also, it's you can actually make the connection. OK, right. This goes with that. Goes with the right. Yeah. Yeah. So I've always found that when I've actually other shows I've been in prior to queen of the whole universe, we actually rehearsed in the theatre. So you're aware of your exits and entries and how much space you had on the stage. And you got used to the feel of the place, whereas going into a a venue that's only available [00:26:00] for two or three days beforehand. Excuse me? Uh, too much jerky in the car on the way over? Um, yeah, it's it's good because, you know, you get to wander around, uh, have a look around, you know, like last year. Last time we were at the Wellington Opera House, which was a first for me and it's quite a rabbit Warren from all the walkways and the tunnels and the rehearsal rooms and everything. Um, so yeah, it's it's it's, uh, more tangible. [00:26:30] Is is what I'd say far more tangible. You realise? OK, we're two or three days away. God, don't Don't stuff it up and you can sort of work out where your friends are gonna be sitting because, you know, between if you're not needed, you can see the the over there. OK, even though you might have been shown the plan The floor plan, um, you can still go. Yeah, I know where you're sitting. So you know where to look when the cheeky parts when you're not supposed to, is you're walking somebody off. Give [00:27:00] them a bit of a wave to nod of the head to to your, uh, nearest and dearest. Sounds good for some people. Uh, that had never done theatre before. I imagine it would take a while to acclimatise I. I would say so because, um, as I say, it's it's quite a huge space, and that can be overwhelming for some people. Uh, because with the rehearsal space, you know you can walk across from one side to the other, but and there's always a different boundary. [00:27:30] But on the stage, the only boundary is the edge of the stage, and you don't dance up to that far. And the separation between you actually realise that within three or four days those seats are going to have people in them. And for some people, that's a bit of a bit of trepidation. Comes in there. And so you keep we keep an eye on each other. It's a very, um, communal sort of feeling and everyone see you OK? Oh, yeah, [00:28:00] you'll be all right. And, um, what is good is we have, uh, some of the support people, uh, dresses or makeup people or lighting crew or whatever, uh, other and other other people connected with the show. In some way they'll be sitting out in the audience so there might be up to 50 people at a time scattered in the stalls, so that gives the people [00:28:30] a taste of an audience who've never had one before. And it's really good. But plus, as with any show, um, if people have never actually been on stage, they need to be aware that unless the lights are on in a certain direction, you can only see about four rows back. You can hear them. But you know, you're usually busy, so busy doing what you're doing on stage that, um, you're never on stage by yourself. Uh, as as a performer, Buffy and Limbo [00:29:00] are on together and and as a peer, but from the opening number, when the curtain goes up to the, uh even when us boys are doing our own dance, we never run by ourselves. And so you're never feeling as though you're the centre of attention or focus, I should say so that that knowing that that that's not gonna happen is probably very good for the new people that no one is going to be looking at you and it's just gonna be you going? [00:29:30] Uh uh, uh uh. So you might be last off, and some people really want to be laughed off. I told them to do that too many times. Um, just, you know, sort of having it up. But, uh, you know, if you want to be first off, that's fine, you know, Great, not a problem. And you sort of wonder about some people because they don't seem to be very effusive or very bubbly talk, you know, practises and rehearsals. And they're a bit quiet [00:30:00] and, you know, the amount of energy that's needed, um, on stage and you sort of think how they're gonna go They actually do. Quite well. Is that, uh does that work in the alternate way where, you know, some people off stage are like, really larger than life, and then they kind of shrink on stage one or two, possibly because, uh, they don't have that amount of confidence in their dancing. And what [00:30:30] you need to keep in mind as a performer is that the audience doesn't know, OK, it's a 1st, 1st and only time for them to see it because it's a one night show and if you go left and everyone else goes right, you know, whatever. As long as you don't stand in anybody's hems and you know there's not a costume malfunction. It's not a big deal, because quite a few of the fast step to dancers, um, you know, you're busy thinking to yourself, and obviously you quite quite often you're watching what somebody else is doing because you might have forgotten halfway through, [00:31:00] but the audience is just really going with the buzz, and they're not singling anybody out. Um, and because as as the boys, the only major focus for us is the dance we do. Um, you know, you you you really sort of probably possibly possibly put a bit more effort into that than slight. Slightly, a little more. No, no disrespect to anybody else for their dancing ability and their their amount of effort. But I do [00:31:30] know, but because the focus is on us I, I actually work a bit harder with that dance to make sure that I don't make the rest of the group. Look, uh, I don't bring the group down. Yeah, I, you know, do as best the best I can. One of the things different, obviously, in the rehearsal is that people aren't dressed up. So when you were saying about looking at or or or watching somebody that, you know, in rehearsal, you know, they're there, but actually in performance, they could look completely [00:32:00] different. Um, well, we do get a clue because, uh, quite often the guys will bring along their shoes to get used to dancing on them. So, um, you know what? They that that girl girl, girl, girl, boy, boy boy sort of thing. So they want to get used to dancing in the six inch either the big, chunky platform shoes or whatever, whatever they're wearing. And, um, because it's the same people coming back year after year, you know that, right? Ok, there's [00:32:30] gonna be a girl who's going to be a girl. He'll be a boy. So it's it once and, uh, you know, you ask everybody or who are you? I'm gonna be with so and so and so and so and so it's it's it doesn't really make much difference. You just see them in the costume and you say, Oh, yeah. Nice costume or ask say, Oh, goodness me. Oh, dear. Would you like some advice, Nick. So do you. No, no, you don't do that. You just think. Oh, OK. Mm. The dressing rooms must be quite an [00:33:00] amazing place. Yeah, unfortunately, we boys get our own dressing room, which is really good, and, um, the dressing rooms at the edge. Uh, it's a nice, nice big one for us, and we just sit around And of course, we, um we follow the rules completely about not having any alcohol or any other thing like that. So, um, people will bring along what we have on the knives will have a shit. You know, somebody will bring along pizza. Somebody bring along sushi and just busy stuffing yourself. And they provide us with Red Bull. [00:33:30] And, um yeah, it It's a good, very good buzz in there. And you sit there with your bag and your munch and munchies and you you got the, um, the intercom and so you can hear what's going on 21 to 21 else to OK, fine. Give me. So yeah, it's good. We just sort of sit there and relax. And plus, you have a wander around, and if you look in the rooms and you see what the girls are wearing, that's good. And there's a big, um, green room as well. So you can sit in there and relax [00:34:00] and chill out, and we just wait till they've finished feeding the judges. Then we go in and eat all the leftovers. Good for you, to you. The tech side of things. How are they to deal with, uh, you know, I mean, does this is this stage manager like, barking at you or No, no, Ellie is a lovely lady. She would She would never do that. Um, but she doesn't take crap from anybody, which is really good. And as long as you're supposed [00:34:30] to or John also is a stage manager. Jeez, there must be one for the night and one for the crew, but yeah. Um, no, they they're really good, you know, as long as you you know, you try and you listen to them when they're explaining, You know, this is what he'll do. This just will do that, you know, don't stand there and get a sandbag dropped on your head kind of thing. Um, they're they're really good. And we, you know, they they we couldn't definitely couldn't do the show without them. And if there's any issues we say, you know, Look, um, I can't make it from here to here in this [00:35:00] time because of XYZ. Um, is it ok if I come on here instead? And you know, you say during rehearsals, you find out that you can't make it from one side to the other. So you'll have that part of your costume waiting there for you. And you say, Look, I need a dresser and I'll arrange that because if you've got to get whip something off and then get something off on and change boots and everything, that might not sound like a lot. But when you've got, like one minute, it's so much easier. If somebody's holding the coat, you can just run into it [00:35:30] and zip it up and somebody else will be taking your boots off and putting shoes on for you and that kind of thing and they'll back on stage. So they're great. I can't say enough good things about them. Fabulous. How many people on stage at any one time would there be? Um, well, I do believe they set a record in Wellington for 35 drag queens on stage, but they didn't count us boys, so they I think the most we've had on stage has been around about 50 for the opening [00:36:00] number. So what does that translate to backstage? How many people backstage? Uh, up to 20. There's the, uh, as I said, there's addresses who are ready to help people off and on. Um, there will be a stage crew who are taking props off and on. Um, there will be some of the, uh, Act two girls will have their own dresses as well. Um, sorry, some of the girls, not just the act two girls, because the costumes are all written and you need people just there waiting for you to put it on. Um, [00:36:30] yeah, you You sort of learning where everything is going to be so that when you're running from one side to the other behind the back, that you don't collide with somebody, which I nearly did or or, um, especially if you've got certain restrictive headgear on, you know, you just get out of people's way and try not to stand like anything as well, because you wouldn't want to stand on or, you know, trip over and put your foot through somebody's head gear that they've spent for 50 hours making it right through the pep and paper mache. But so yeah, it it's it seems to work [00:37:00] organised chaos, as people say. So we're here on, uh, on the night curtain is about to go up. How does it feel? Uh, yeah, It's a bit of a rush thinking, um, because the last couple of numbers, it's been Buffy and Mumbo and the boys. So the focus is on you straight away, and I'm thinking different things, like, you know, listen, listen to the cue. Listen to the cue. Um, keep the right expression [00:37:30] on your face. Um, I hope the people who are who are supporting me don't scream out my name just yet. Um, but luckily, usually they're watching the beginning of the number and they wait till the end. So I've I've trained them, although depending on how many, um, shes they've had beforehand, it doesn't always work. Um, yeah, it's It's great. There's a bit of that nervous energy, and it's within the group and everyone before the stages. You know, we, for example, all the leather boys will get together with their hands [00:38:00] in the circle, go to leather boys, you know, like that, or go muscle boys or whatever. Um, so yeah, yeah, it's good. And as soon as the curtain goes up, the crowd cheers straight away and you just know having been in the audience, you know, you know, they're busy eyes everywhere, watching What's going on? Uh, of course, if you know somebody who's on the stage, look for them. So I know that you know, I'm being watched, but that only comes into my [00:38:30] head at the end when we've stopped and we the applause is ongoing that it's more, you know, next number. Next number. Next step. I've got to be here. I should be standing next and so and so and so And so So, yeah, all that all that rehearsal pays off because, you know, and keeps my at something. Look, as though you're enjoying yourself. Which part of the whole thing do you enjoy the most, uh, getting to know people better. And because not, you know, [00:39:00] I might see a few of them around the town during the year. But as I say, because I'm not really into the scene or anything like that. So it's just, you know, making more friends. And, uh, quite a few of them are on Facebook, which is fun catching up with what they're doing. Um, I mean, yeah, it it's the it's the friendships that you make. Um, it's the odd cleaners that people drop, you know, they're always fun remember that? Um, I'm known for my very bad jokes, And, uh, [00:39:30] but it's and the gentle, good, good natured ribbing is also good fun. Um, and, uh, it's amazing to see the amount as I say the head gear, you know, because all we do is just walk, walk the girls out, and you look at it and you go, Wow, that's amazing, man. So, yeah, it's It's pretty much there are. There are, um, no parts I don't enjoy. There are parts that are, you know, I wish didn't go on as long like that. Well, let's do that number again. Let's rehearse that one [00:40:00] again. Because the chore some choreographers are very exacting, which is I'm sure it's what we need anyway, because if, um if we didn't hear something 25 times, it probably wouldn't look that good on the night. But after the fifth time of doing something, you think, Oh, God, give it a rest. But they No, no, they're good. They crack the whip and they make us look good. So thank you very much to the choreographers for, um, giving us a kick up the bum when we need it. Because I'm sure we did. It's just, you know, it It depends. Um, it's not so bad. [00:40:30] Because even if you had a rough day at work and you go along to rehearsal, you know that that good energy there. Oh, hi, Jerry. How's it going? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that sort of thing. And Jonathan will be giving us a bit of a pep talk and telling us where we have to in the order of things, which is good. This, uh, this upcoming pageant, the 10th is gonna be the final one. Do you have any thoughts on that? Uh, yeah. Um, it's like anything else. It's run its course, [00:41:00] and you don't watch it. It's not like we don't want to watch. It's like, uh, I don't wanna be like Rocky and go on for Rocky 23 or something like that. Um, I'm sure something will come along afterwards, but I think it's, um because it's been the the brainchild and the baby of of Jonathan and Kevin, Um, to a degree, uh, you know, it's it's for them, and where they are after in their life [00:41:30] and their professional life and all that kind of thing. You know, I think they made a good call. Everyone's had fun doing it. There's been no, Um uh you know, of course, it will be a shame that it's over. And I think, OK, what am I going to do next year? But something else will come along, but, uh, I think it's definitely been a A plus in every way. Um, I'm very proud to have been a small part of raising money for community groups [00:42:00] that support people living with AIDS and HIV. And, um, you know, it's it's important to me to get back to the community in some way. I've done it in many other aspects of my life with, um, adult literacy and, um uh, Boy Scouts. Oh, God, I guess, Um, but yeah, so I will. I will, for my own, um, way of life. Find another community group. I can go along and support, but I think it's more [00:42:30] that, um, you know, go out when you're on top, because, uh, it's it's I mentioned. It's a huge commitment. Um, time wise for Jonathan McKeen and 10 Years is just enough for anything. I think it's really great that it's lasted 10 years, but I think it's a good call.
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