This page features computer generated text of the source audio. It may contain errors or omissions, so always listen back to the original media to confirm content. You can search the text using Ctrl-F, and you can also play the audio by clicking on a desired timestamp.
Um, gosh, Well, going back to 2004. Jonathan and Kevin, Um, they were doing a, um, a show, uh, with one of our work. Um, we were doing a a conference, and they were doing a, um, a show there as and bimbo. And, um, Jonathan mentioned to me, um, would I like to, um he sort of came up with this idea and said, you know, what did I think of it? And I thought it was a great idea, and I said, Yeah, I'd be into it. No worries. So, um and especially we know when [00:00:30] he said what it was, um, and, you know, the charities that it was going to be, um, the the charities it was going to be. Yeah. I thought, Yeah, I wanted to be in. So the original idea, How big was it? How many contestants and and what kind of can you can you recall that kind of detail? Uh, it was actually quite good. I, um I I've sort of recruited some of my friends as well, so I probably would have recruited about three or four people. Um, got them into the idea. Interested [00:01:00] in the idea as well. I can't actually remember the exact number of people, but it was probably about 30 people originally. I'm not quite sure. Don't quote me on that. But, um, there was a lot of people, um, in the initial stages, and everyone was really enthusiastic, and and, um And I think the idea of, um, you know, doing rehearsals, and that was gonna be, you know, quite a lot of fun. 30 people is is is quite a a number. Had anything like that being done in New Zealand before? No, I don't think so. Not on such a big scale. [00:01:30] Yeah. And especially also too, with, um, with amateurs. You know, we weren't professional drag queens or anything like that. We would just run the mill blokes. Really? And just wanted to get into a frock. Was that one of the original ideas? Not to professional drag? I think so, Yes. I think that was the whole idea was to keep it amateur, um, and and not involve, um, you know, the more professional type of people because I think that would also be quite up putting to some of the amateur people because, um, you know I wasn't a theatrical person, [00:02:00] and I probably would have felt a bit, um, you know, if someone was, uh, professional dancing next to me and that, you know, I probably would have felt a bit, you know, 2nd, 2nd rate next to them. So and it was good because everyone was in the same boat, you know? So what made you want to do it? If if you weren't really, uh, kind of a a an out there, kind of, Um, I think it was just I just think it was just the thought of, um I suppose it was my only chance of sort of getting out there and performing in front of people. Really? I never probably would have that opportunity again. And, um, and also [00:02:30] because, you know, we were all in the same boat. You know, a lot of people hadn't done that before, either. And I think that was part of the fun, too. So can you take me through the process of of of how the rehearsals went and OK, well, what What we started was with, um the show basically is, um, it's sort of developed over the years, but in the initial stages. It was a, um, an act one opening where it was all of the, um all the girls. And, uh, they would, um we would do a dance routine and have it professionally choreographed. And [00:03:00] then we would end up, um, having a end, Um, as, uh, but at the end as well, we would have a dance routine at the end as well. That was an Act one. Then it started off. Um, in the early days, we had a costume, um, a parade of costumes, And it was in the country that you chose, Um, you would be in the national dress or something. You know, to, um, signify the of the country that you were playing, Um, and then the contestants would get knocked out, and then it would go through to, um, Act two, [00:03:30] which would be, um, probably more, um, the more professional side of of the people that were in the show that wanted to go through and do their own little skit. Um, and, uh, then they would be judged by the audience. And then, um, the the eventual winner would be the, um, the queen of the universe or in those days. It was the of the whole Pacific in the first in the first one. Yeah, it wasn't called Queen of the Universe. Did they find that after the first one that that it was just too small? And they, uh Well, it's amazing how many [00:04:00] countries you can come up with in the Pacific, because it was the whole Pacific Rim, and, um and I was, uh I was Miss Columbia, but there were people, like from the Caribbean and, um, from Australia and the Asian Rim as well. And, of course, the Pacific Islands. So that's amazing how many countries you can come up with. So what kind of costume did you come up with from Miss Columbia? Uh, Miss Columbia? Well, I was, um my because obviously, we have to come up with a byline and a and A and a drag name as well. And, um, my name was Maria Consuela [00:04:30] Gonzales Escobar. And I was, um, theoretically, in my byline. I was Pablo Escobar's estranged daughter who was taking over her his, um, drug empire from from, um, from Colombia. But I was living in, um in Miami at the time, so that was my byline. And basically what I had at the time was, um I had this red. I had this dress made professionally, and it was a red silk number. And it had big red, um, sort of like, uh, flowers, like hibiscus flowers. I don't know what [00:05:00] type they were, but they were big red things. And, um, I had this big red hat, a big black hat with all these red poppies over it, signifying the the drugs. And, um And then I had a, um, a little. And then I had, um I had put ice and sugar around my nostrils and things like that. So, um, that was that was my idea of sort of Miss Columbia at the time. Oh, that's right. And And I had a plastic gun as well. I had a plastic gun tucked down my brow. So, um, that was in the first show. Yeah. Do you have any [00:05:30] techniques for choosing drag names? Um, well, it's funny, actually. I, I do actually have quite a good way of, um I've chosen quite a few names for, uh for people in the show. They always tend to come to meet with some ideas. And, um, I probably would look at what country they're playing first. And then I sort of do a play on that as well. And, um, you know, some of the names that I've come up with was, um, a friend of mine, Shane. He was, um, Miss Turkey. One year, and I came up with Donna Kebab. Um, and, um, [00:06:00] there was one Miss Poland, Um, cut your toenails and, um, just Yeah, and I'd sort of come up with sort of different, you know, linked to the, um, the countries. Yeah. Can you recall what the feeling was like when you first went on stage and that first performed? Yes, I can. It was amazing. Um, Jonathan always says, um, you'll never, um, forget the feeling that you have when the curtain goes up and just that roar of the audience. And, um, the first show was at the Sky city, [00:06:30] and, um, it was and I remember we were standing there in the, uh, in a row waiting for the curtain to go up. And my leg just wouldn't stop shaking. It was just amazing. My my leg. I couldn't stop it shaking. And, um, when that curtain went up, Just the roar of the audience. And, you know, the lights going on us. It was just You just can't describe. It was just euphoric. It was just It was amazing. Yeah. And everyone. Everyone was the same. Everyone was all nervous. You know, um, as the years have progressed in that, um, obviously, it's not as not [00:07:00] as exciting now, But you still get that thrill when when the curtain goes up, you know, because, um, I I wonder what it would be like, You know, sitting in the audience watching us, you know, just to see when the curtains go up. You know what? It what it actually looks like. And And when we've seen, you know, the videos afterwards and that it must be amazing to be in the audience And just with just when the curtain goes up. So you've never actually sat in the audience? Never sat in the audience? No, no, I've I've done every show, and, um, this obviously is the last one. And, um, I'll probably have to hang up my high heels after this one, But But who knows? Something might [00:07:30] come come around That first show How did it open? What? What was the, uh, Gosh, um I can't remember. I know we had, um The song was, um I'm every woman. And also, um, I am what I am, um, was one of the opening numbers, and, um, I remember we rehearsed it for weeks and weeks and weeks, and, you know, you'd be standing in the supermarket and you'd hear it, and you'd just automatically almost break into, you know, the dance routine, you know, And it still happens now, after all these years, because you get to know when you're rehearsing, [00:08:00] you get to know the song so well, and the dance moves, you know, And we were at a party. Um um, must have been at the last show. And, um, we did, um, poker face. And, um, poker face came on. They were playing, and there were three or four of us there from the show, and we just automatically got up and just did this dance routine in the middle of the party. It was like a flash mob, but, um but yeah, that was a lot of fun. So the feeling from that first show can you describe can you can. You kind of encapsulate the kind of feeling you had from it. It was [00:08:30] the, um, as I say with the, um, the audience. Um, and because this was the first show, the audience were so excited and a at the after show, um, function people were coming up and they wanted to take photos. And, um, we had a professional photographer there as well. And, um, just the feeling afterwards, we're on a high. And, um, what we went through till gosh, I, I think we went through till about one o'clock in the morning. And then a few of us went down, um, down to one of the nightclubs in town, and I remember walking down Queen [00:09:00] Street. And of course, we were getting all the whistles and things like that because here we were, you know, a group of, you know, blokes dressed in drag and, um, walking down Queen Street so that that was a bit of a a bit of a hoot as well. But, you know, it's amazing. Um, there was never, never any trouble or there was never, you know, you didn't feel unsafe walking down like that. And I think people just knew, you know, we were out to have fun. And, um, you know, there was We didn't have any any problems going there, but it was It was, And I remember we go, we got home, um, a friend [00:09:30] of mine We didn't get home till about 10 o'clock on the Sunday morning. We got invited to another party down at the Hilton, and, um and of course, by that time of the morning after we'd been in makeup since four o'clock the previous afternoon, we weren't looking that attractive. And I remember we were walking down, um, down that little alleyway down from the Hilton down towards the, um down towards custom street. And it was a wind tunnel, and it was freezing cold. And I remember saying to my friend, I said, I just want to go home to bed and I and I remember when I looked over and he looked at me and he says, Love, you've got an eyelash on your cheek. So? [00:10:00] So if we weren't looking very, um, you know, we were looking a bit worse for her at that time of the day, but it was a lot of fun was the pageant always going to be an annual event? Or did it Did it rest on the success of the first one? And then I think, um, yeah, I think Jonathan, um, because of the success of it, um, I think Jonathan wanted to progress it further. And, um, I think also to a big thing, of course, was the sponsor and, um, getting, you know, the sponsorship for them as well. [00:10:30] And, um, so that would have been a big, um, you know, if if it hadn't have been successful. But, um, I think, yeah, the the idea was good. And I think, um, Jonathan said, rather than doing, um, 22, shows back to back, um, rather just doing one big show and leaving the audience wanting more and then going back to the next year rather than doing like, two or three nights in a row or something like that. That's quite special, isn't it? Because you spend months preparing for this, and then it's [00:11:00] one night. It is. Yeah, it's a big commitment. Um, it's two nights a week or or sorry, Sunday afternoon and generally a night during the week. Um, so it is a big commitment. And, um, you can tell the people that are there that are going to be really committed, you know? And it it is a shame sometimes, you know, like there might be work commitments where you can't actually make a, um uh, make a rehearsal. Um, as long as you know, you keep Jonathan, um, updated. And that because when you when you're rehearsing and you've got a routine and you get [00:11:30] used to standing next to someone and they're not there on the night, it does throw you out. Um, and you know, some people you know haven't been there like, two or three weeks in a row, you know? And it really does put you off when they actually come back because you're actually used to, you know, to dancing next to someone. Or, you know, you might have a partner, a dance partner there with you that you do in part of the routine. And if they're not there, it's actually quite hard. So Year two, what did you What did you come out? Year two? Um, now I came in year two. I actually wrote them down. I was actually Miss Greece. [00:12:00] and, um, I can't actually quite remember my name now, but, um, after saying that, but, um, yes, I had, um, at that stage, I was, um I did they what they call the body for life. And, um, I remember I went with my friend, and we we tried on a, um, costume at the beginning of the year, and I thought, Oh, look, this is this is the ideal dress that I want to wear for the opening number. So I ended up doing this body for life, and I lost about 10 kg, and I put this dress on for the opening show, and it just fitted me like a glove. And it was [00:12:30] so lovely. This this red sequin dress and I look at the photos now, and I had this long, dark wig, and, um, the makeup was done really well. And, um, so that was that was the second show. Um, the next year, I was, um, Burkina Faso, of all places. And, um, that was at the stage when, um, Madonna had adopted her little baby. And, um, part of my stage prop was I had a little basket with me, and [00:13:00] I bought this. Um, I wore this ball gown and I had a, um, like a leopard skin. I just went and got some material from one of the, um, shops. It was just a leopard skin print. And I wrapped it around me like an African sort of princess type thing. And I had this, um, straw basket, and I went and got these little plastic babies from the, um these little black doll. Things from the, um the joke, not joke shop, the costume shop. These and I had these babies in this basket, and people would say I could hear. Um, you know people [00:13:30] afterwards, after the show saying, why did you have a basket of babies or a basket of dolls? And I said, Oh, well, you see, there goes that. You know, that was part of the thrill that that was, You know, I was supposed to be selling babies as Burkina Faso. So, um, just thinking about your shopping and also your well for, for instance, dress shopping. How do you find that? Where where do you go? How how do you, um, dress shopping Generally, um, I do. Apart from the first [00:14:00] show, when I had my, um, outfit made professionally. Um, I generally just go to one of the, um the costume shops, like first scene or someone like that that are the sponsor of the show as well. And the girls there are fantastic, Um, and depending on what country I am, um, I'll try and get a, you know, a theme, um, to that as well. Um, I go and do my shoe shopping. Well, actually, I've still got my original pair of shoes. Um, that I got out in Oahu on Saturday. And, [00:14:30] um, much to the amusement of the locals out there, You know, there's these blokes in the shoe shop walking up and down in high heels and and that, um but they're very well made. And I've still got my original pair, and they're still just as comfortable. And I'll probably be wearing them this year as well. Little pair of silver sling backs, silver glittery sling bas. Have you found over the years that the heels get higher? Or, um, well, I'm quite sensible because I don't really like wearing the high heels, because I don't want to end up with a broken ankle, but, um I do. [00:15:00] I do get amazed by some of the guys that wear these huge, big I don't know how they don't break their legs because the heels are so big. And, um, I did buy a slightly higher pair of, um, uh, heels one year, and, um, I didn't feel comfortable wearing them I. I wore them for the opening routine, but I had to take them off for the closing routine because they were just too high. They weren't like, really stilettos, but they did have a, um, a high heel on them. But I didn't feel quite safe wearing them. So I ended up going to my [00:15:30] which I still have a bit of a heel, but they're quite good. Does the choice of shoe alter your persona? And dr, um it does, um, like these shoes They they were patent. Um, patent bright, bright red fire, truck red. Um uh, heels. And, um, I remember a couple of the guys like, Oh, they just look fantastic. And they were They were They were actually very nice pair of shoes. And I thought, Oh, yes. I could probably be someone French or something, [00:16:00] but probably looked like a French tart or something wearing them, You know, with my if I had fish fish, net stockings or something, but, um, the, um And then I had another pair, too. Uh, for one of the, um, countries. I was I was miss. And, um, I had this really bright, colourful, flowery pair as well. And, um, they were fantastic, too. Yeah. So, your third performance What? What did you, uh, the next one. After that, I was Miss Austria. And [00:16:30] sorry, I can't remember my name for that either. But, um, it was a Marie Antoinette theme. And, um, once again, I hired my costume, and, um, it was an amazing period costume. And, um, I had a big white wig made, and the wig was about Must have been about 22 metres made out of, um, Daron from the from the mattresses. And, um, it was huge. In fact, [00:17:00] I've got a photo of it here, and, um, it took a It took a night to make, and it was made of white, fluffy dacron. And I had, um, Christmas decorations like jewels. And that and I had this Marie Antoinette dress. Um, the only problem was It was a little bit too heavy. And I got the wobbles when I, um when I ended up walking on the stage with it, So I had to be careful, but I didn't put my head to to the side, you know, too far. Otherwise it would have fallen off it. It also looks like it. It would hit your head quite [00:17:30] quite a bit. It was It was very hot. Yes. Yeah. And that was the costume I took down to, um, to papa for the anniversary in te Papa. And, um, yes, that was so that was fun. Take Well, the boys had to take that down in the truck, all the all the head gear because I would never have got that on the plane. Was it quite heavy? Um, not really. It was actually made a base of, um, camping mat around in a circular cone. And then we just added all of that and glued it all on, um, sprayed it with hair spray, [00:18:00] and, um, and then I just put, like, a, um netting around it to keep it all in one pace. Yeah, but it was a very good and I wish I'd still kept it. Now, I don't know where it went. I think after coming back, it was a bit worse for wear. So but do you generally keep your costumes? And and And I do, Yeah. Yeah, I generally get them. Yes, I've got a drag bag under my bed, which has all that stuff in it. So, um, I keep all my shoes and and all the stuff, all the all the jewellery and everything like that, that all goes under the bed in a plastic container, and it comes [00:18:30] out once a year for the show. So you don't do drag any other time apart? No, no, no, no. It's just just, um just for the show. Yeah, It's, um just once in a year that we, you know, have a lot of fun, and and, um, you know, count it up. Although in saying that I did, um, for our Christmas party last year at work, I did go, um, in an Italian, um, dress because it was a country theme. And I went as, um, an Italian girl, an Italian slave girl. And, um, I got made up for that because it was fancy dress and I got best dressed. [00:19:00] And so I won a prize, so that was quite fun. But that's the only other time. So I'm thinking, looking at this photograph and the amount of work that's actually gone into this costume and head gear and actually the amount of money that's gone on to this I mean, it's quite a serious undertaking, isn't it? It is. Um, I admire some of the guys that spend a lot of money like you can do it cheaply. But, um, you know, I admire the guys that put a lot of money and effort into their costumes. [00:19:30] And, um, you know, it's amazing what you can buy spotlight and and places like that in the $2 shop. And you know, Jeff's Emporium and that you can do a lot of things quite cheaply. You know, you don't have to spend a lot of money on it, um, to make it look good. Um, but also, too, you need to have to be creative as well, you know, And I generally have to get some guidance on that as well, because I'm not the most creative of people either. Um, so I need to sort of get some tips, and And what have you to, um, especially, [00:20:00] you know, for for doing the wig for Miss Austria? Um, one of the, um, Steve, who's been in the show. Um, as well, um, he actually helped me put that together and and gave me some tips on what to buy and and what have you. So, um, uh, when I was Miss India just last year, Um, I did a, um elephants big sort of elephants head once again made out of, um, camping mat and sequins and jewels And what have you and, um, And they came [00:20:30] out quite well. And I remember I bought most of that from I think the $2 shop or somewhere like that. Do you think the costumes have generally got more complex over the years that you've been involved? I think so. Yeah. Um, with the head gear of nations. Um, because that that came in. Probably. I think it was about the third show. Um, where we had to do the head gear. Um, they have become more involved now. Um, you know, people spend, you know, weeks and weeks [00:21:00] on them. Um, I remember, um last year when I did my elephant head. I think I only started about a week beforehand and did it every night. But, um, you know, some people do it weeks in advance, and, um, they had become a very complex. Now, you know, people have, um, lighting on them, um, different things like that. And, um, you know, very, very clever. What's the most extravagant one you've seen? The most extra one was Gosh, was, um, Alistair, One year when he was miss, um, Easter Island. [00:21:30] And, um, his, uh, dress had a huge bustle around it, and it was lit up with fairy lights and, um, had a big, um his head gear was one with a big, um, Easter egg on the top as well. And that was amazing. Uh, and also Miss France last year, who won as well. His costume was amazing. It was like a, um, Marie Antoinette type costume as well. And, um, that was fantastic. Yeah, There's a very, very creative, um, people out there in [00:22:00] the show. We're so lucky to have that talent. So after Miss Austria? What? Who? Who were you there? Um oh, gosh. After that, I was uh, miss Hawaii. And, um, I was my byline on there. I was, um, travelling the world promoting my pineapple based skin exfoliating cream. And that's how I made my money and that I'd been in the show since day one and still hadn't won it yet. And, um [00:22:30] and my name was And so, um, And for that dress there for that costume, I went out to Oahu and I bought a big, um, white mumu type dress. And, um, a friend of mine had decorated it with some really bright, um, fluorescent jewel around with, um, flowers and all of that. And I had a big layer around my neck. And, um, I had been given or allowed. [00:23:00] I was borrowing this amazing, big, red haired wig, and it just looked fantastic. Yeah, and, um, and in that one there, too. Um, for that show, we did a itsy bitsy. Um, Jonathan had asked the people that have been in since day one to do a routine in the middle of the show. And it was, um, the itsy bitsy polka dot bikini, and we all had to get dressed in swimwear. And then I was dressed up in this in this, um, costume [00:23:30] there. And, um and luckily, it had a modesty flap on the front. And that was the That was the lay that, um so that was taken just before we went on stage. Yeah, it is rather it's it. Is it a yes, but I didn't wear the bikini, and these are the high heel shoes. And I had and I stuck a little, um, paper flower on the toes on the shoes. The colouring is amazing. Is this kind of colour? No, no, no, no, no. That was just, um I got the I [00:24:00] think I got that costume at one of the, um I think save Mart or something. And, um, that just happened to because, you know, I don't really have the physique to wear a bikini, and I didn't want to scare people off. Um, so I just wanted to have just a one piece with and, um and that's actually a floral cap. Had flowers on it, and it was like a swim cap with flowers on it as well. So that was, um and that was a lot of fun doing that one as well. Have you ever been in a position where you've dreamed up costume. It's [00:24:30] been made, and you look at it and think, Oh, my goodness. I'm not gonna I can't wear this. Um, there was one. It was actually the miss. I think it was the Miss Hawaii one when I when I when I had the the And, um, I remember, um, standing outside on the back deck and my partner came out and of course, I didn't have any wig or makeup on or anything like that. And here I was, standing with his white on and said to me, He says that doesn't suit you. And I thought, [00:25:00] Well, no, because I'm not made up yet, so of course it looks awful. But then I went and looked in the mirror and I thought, Oh, no, it doesn't look the best, but no. Once I had the makeup and the wig on it did. It did come up fine. Yeah. You mentioned, uh, some of the the the the founding members that have stayed with the show. How many are there that have done all the shows? Um, gosh, I think now there's probably only, um, there's only a handful probably five people that have been in it. Some people have missed shows, and then they've come [00:25:30] back the next year. Um, but right from the very start, Um, I think there's probably only about five people, Max, if not that, um, so that just shows, you know, the level of commitment. And, um, you know that people want to put into it. And I know that this year, um, there are people coming back that have, um, gone overseas and living overseas and come back for it as well. Um, so that's good. So I think it's gonna be a fantastic show this year, Really looking forward to it. What's the kind of mix between [00:26:00] people that have either done it over a number of years? And and new people? Um, there's probably every year. Probably there's about a handful of people that that come in as new new bees. Um, and, you know, we we're always welcoming to the new people, and, um, you know, we sort of tell them you know what to expect and what have you, and especially the people that have been there for, you know, for a few years. And that and, um you know, there's all you know. It's different [00:26:30] ages, all different ages, different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, anything, you know. But we all make it. Everyone feel welcome. And, you know, we're all there just to achieve the one the one outcome. And let's just have a fantastic show and have fun doing it. And, um, you know, and sometimes you know, you you might get someone That's, um perhaps a little bit more confident and dance moves than the others. And they'll sort of tell you, Oh, no, no, you should be doing it this way. Or, you know you should do it that way, which is always good, too, [00:27:00] you know, because there are some people that have two left feet. You know, not everyone's, you know, fantastic dancers. And, you know, there's been times, too, and I've turned the wrong way when you're supposed to go the other way. And but, you know, Jonathan says, Don't worry about it, he says, Just keep going because the audience is not all looking at you, you know, especially when there's a big group of people. Yeah, what about reasons for participating? Are there? Are there a wide variety of reasons why people come. Um, yeah, there is. I think, um, obviously, because of the charity side of it as well. And And, [00:27:30] um, but I think people just do it because it's a lot of fun doing it. And, you know, the rehearsals. And you do build up a friendship with a lot of the people, you know, and, um, socially as well, you know, and especially, um, you know, we have a lot of fun after the show, and and, um, we sort of get excited for the next one. And it's, um, all all different reasons. And the next one for you, after Miss Hawaii was, uh, I was Miss India. Yes. And, um, that was at the time when paul Henry was, [00:28:00] uh, involved or embroiled in, um, the India problem. So I took my my name as, uh, manita. Henry and I was the estranged half sister of Paul Henry, but I don't know whether the audience picked up on that one, but anyway, that was, I thought would be quite, um and yes. So I was, uh, from Mumbai, and I was a peasant girl from Mumbai. And, um so Yeah, so that's why I had my Indian sort of headdress and for that headdress, I sorry for my costume. [00:28:30] Um, I went and got a sari now, because I had never worn a sari ever before. One of the girls at work, um, was an Indian, and she wears a sari. And so I got a few tips from her, and I went out to a one of the shops out in and, um, one of the Indian shops there. And I said to the lady, I said, No, I need to wear a sari. Well, they were all over me like a rash. The girls in the shop, they couldn't believe it, that this bloke would come in wanting to buy a sari. And I said now it had to be purple, purple and silver because that was [00:29:00] the, um, the theme of the show. So she showed me this lovely sari. And then, of course, she said, Oh, no, no, you've got to have this. And she was because you have to wear a skirt under it. And then she showed me how to, um to wrap it around, because when I got home, it just went straight in one ear and out the other. So what we had to do is me and my partner we had to, um he was He got the, uh, the computer out the laptop and Googled, um, how to tie a sari. And there was this really, really good instruction video, this girl. And there we were. We put it on the mantle piece and we watched this [00:29:30] girl doing a sari. But of course, we had to stand, so we weren't getting it all opposite to what she was saying. You know, you do it to the right and then to the left and that. So we had a lot of fun with that, and we had to actually do that. Um, on the day of the show, my partner had it on his on his phone, and he had downloaded the video, so we could still do it in the dressing room before the show. So we couldn't, um So we couldn't forget how to do it so that Oh, no, that's the last thing we need is to go and look all like a Roman toga or something. So, um yeah, so that was That was a lot of fun. Yeah, [00:30:00] the preparation on the day of the show. Can you talk me through that? How? How does that work? Uh, the preparation. Well, generally, what we do is, um, the last couple of nights before the show. If the show is on a Saturday night, Um, what we do is we generally have a, um, full dress rehearsal on the Friday Um, generally, what we do is, um, for those that can take the day off, And I've always taken the day off and go, we get told a designated time to go, and we actually [00:30:30] do the whole show as a as a a rehearsal, Then on the Friday night, um, we have a full dress rehearsal where we don't have to wear wigs or makeup, But we have our costumes on because obviously the, um, stage director and the lighting people all have to get it all right. And the placings where we stand and have to get all that right. So we have to have the, um, the costumes on as well. So, um, that generally happens on the on the Friday night, and it's always a late one. Um, what we can do is because it's all very secretive. The Act two girls. [00:31:00] Um there is the opportunity now that we can actually sit and watch the act Two girls do their rehearsals where we haven't been able to before. So it's actually quite good to actually sit in the audience and watch them doing that. And and then you get to see all the little, um, you know, flaws or loopers that might happen. And, um so that happens generally on the Friday night or the night before the show. And then, um, on the Saturday um, we normally get called in, uh, at about four o'clock and [00:31:30] we get a designated time for the makeup to have makeup done. And, um, Jonathan, uh, generally organises makeup. Um, Phoenix cosmetics come in and they do all the the makeup for us. And, um, we get designated at a time, and then you do it in stages. In the makeup. You get all your foundation done first, and then you move to the next girl who might do the eye makeup. Then you'll do the next girl who do all your lips and and it's like a conveyor belt. And it's amazing [00:32:00] the transformation when you see people standing there, you know, in their t-shirt and jeans and that, and then they get transformed. And they get this. They look wonderful when they've had all their makeup done, you know, because fresh makeup looks really good. And, um, some people look so different in makeup once, once they've been made up, you know? And they look really glamorous. And you can understand why women do it, because it just does enhance, you know, their features. And, um, you know, some of the the the makeup we've had has been fantastic through the years. And, um, you know, Phoenix have done a fantastic job. I remember one [00:32:30] year when, uh when we were down in Wellington, um, we didn't have the luxury of having the whole cosmetic people there with us. And, um, there was, I think only about one or two of the Phoenix girls came down and we had to do the makeup ourselves where we had to do the foundation and all of that, and that was a bit of a struggle, but, um, but we got there, you know? And they put a chart up on in front of the mirror of what the eye makeup had to look like and And, um, And then they were there just to sort of do all the final touch [00:33:00] ups and that. So that was a real sort of, you know, learning curve for us all to, you know, actually do our own makeup. Do you find that a transformation actually occurs in people's personality as they go through that makeup wine? Oh, I think so. Yeah. People, it's, um, a really good friend of mine, Um, who since passed away. He, um it was amazing. We used to laugh, and we just had so much fun because he was such a girl when he was normal. And then as soon as he got dressed in [00:33:30] drag and had makeup on, he went all butch. And it was funny. It was just so it was just like a total total, um, transformation. And, um oh, yes. And another friend of ours, he couldn't wait when you saw him during the day. Typical rugby rugby. Bloke loved his rugby sports and everything. And then as soon as he got into a frock, he just had a total transformation. And he just became this pouting. Couldn't wait to put makeup on and jewels and everything, and it was just a total transformation. It was so funny. [00:34:00] And, um, you know, we we do have some laughs, you know, in the change in the, um, in the dressing rooms and that before the show, we do have laughs. It's That's, I think, you know, a lot of fun as well. Does that happen with you? That kind of transform that mental transformation? Not really. No, no. I still, um you know, I. I laugh at it because I say to people I said, no, don't forget, I'm still actually a bloke under all of this, you know, And, um, you know, and it is It is funny. You know, you might be sitting there in the dressing room and you'll be pulling on your tights and you'll say, Oh, no, I've got [00:34:30] a ladder or something like that, you know, or oh, I've snagged it on my toenail, you know, or something like that. So, you know, there's all these things, but, um no I. I don't sort of have a personality change or anything. You do camp it up a bit, I think, Um, and you know, and a lot. A lot of the, um a lot of the straight guys and that they just love it. You know, they just love all the, you know, the attention and and that And, um yeah, it's a lot of fun. How does the, uh, technical crew at the theatre react? Because, I mean, [00:35:00] those technicians are part of the theatre role. That's right. Yeah. Um, we don't really, um, have a lot to do with the with the technical guys. Um, when we're not actually rehearsing, Obviously, we're not allowed to be on the stage. Um, because especially like if the two girls are rehearsing And what have you with an O with us? Um uh, conditions. Um, but we don't have a lot to do with the technical, Um, the guys in the theatre? No, they're but they're all you know, very, very good. And, um, you know, they have the odd gig too, you know, when they see [00:35:30] us come in. And when we all come in and drag and they say because, you know, they've seen us, you know, at the rehearsals, when we're just dressed in jeans and t-shirts and and sneakers, and then we come in on the Saturday night, and we've just had this total transformation, you know? And you can see them looking. So you. Now, Now, who are you? I can't remember what you look like in your in your day. Where do you find that hard on stage as well. Um, actually trying to identify people. Um, you do? Yes. When? When we're all made up. And, you know, we're standing perhaps waiting for the curtain to go up and that and you'll You'll look [00:36:00] at someone and you'll think, Oh, now who is that? Who is that over there? And of course, you You forget what they actually look like, and because they do, they just transform. And, um, especially with wigs and, um, in costumes and that, you know, people do look totally different and drag. Yeah, there was some. There was one guy, um Who He came one day to rehearsals. It was on a Sunday afternoon and, um, he had come in drag. [00:36:30] And we were talking to us and, you know, doing the rehearsals. And I said to um my friend that was standing next to me. I said, Who is that over there? I said. And he and he said, Oh, that's such and such I can't remember what his name was. Um, I said, Oh, yeah, That's the guy that always comes in his old scraggy old clothes on a Wednesday night and here he was on the Sunday afternoon in his full drag and you would not know who who it was. It was amazing. You're in a remarkable position, having been in all of the queen of the whole [00:37:00] universes. And I'm just wondering if you can reflect back on some of the highlights. Some of the oddest moments, some of the funniest moments. Um, I think we always have something in a show that always tends to stick in your mind. Um, I remember, um, in the first show, Um, my very good friend who I mentioned earlier, um, he was Miss Easter Island. Um, and he had his for his head gear was [00:37:30] a, um it was made of foam rubber, but it was one of the Easter Island monoliths and how it had been made. It was, um, it had had sort of, like, fake grass all around the bottom of it. That was part of the head gear and this big, Um, and from the back when we were while we were standing to go on the stage, the guy that was standing behind him, and then I was standing behind him. I heard him say, Why is he wearing a tombstone on his head? [00:38:00] But it was just the way he said, and I think it was because we were so keyed up about going on stage. Well, I just took a fit of the giggles and it was so funny, just the way he just came out and said, Why is he wearing a tombstone? Of course I said no, he's miss Easter Island. It's a monolith. You've gotta look at it from the front and the other one the, um the other one that we had, which made me laugh One year was when, um, we were the backup. Um, uh, me and my friend were a backup with, um Miss Tahiti, [00:38:30] and we had he asked us he was an Act two girl and we had to walk on with two bowls. I don't know what I can't remember what the song was that he was playing, but we had to walk on with a bowl of dry ice, And so it would all come over, you know? And then they added water to it, and we all we had to do was walk on the stage. And I remember we started and we walked on the stage, and all I could hear was a bubbling, gurgling [00:39:00] noise from this dry ice. And once again, we got a fit of the giggles as well. And I and it was it was a very solemn song that he was playing. And I just and I just, you know, how you when he was trying to stifle a laugh or a giggle, And the more I tried to do it, the more it was I just couldn't stop it. And I was just I remember the sweat was pouring off me because here we were, carrying these two bowls of dry ice bubbling and gurgling away on onto the stage. Um, so that was one of the more, um, memorable ones. And, um, [00:39:30] I did one year. I was, um, one of the shows, one of the, um, shows in between act one and act two. I had to go up on to a, um they It was like a swing. And they raised me up way up into the, um into the heavens in the in the show and and part of the song, I would just come down and I was dressed as a priest, and I would just come down and, um I I, um, lip synced the words From what? This [00:40:00] prick. I can't remember the song, but I lip synced the the words that this priest was supposed to have said, And um and then they raised me up again like this. She said, Well, it was so high in the top. You don't actually realise how high it is at the, um the a T centre in those in that stage. And it was actually quite scary. I had a harness on, so, you know, I was I was OK, but I had to sit up there probably for about 10 minutes, and it's really high. And that was actually it was quite scary. And especially when you know, they, they lower you down really quickly, and then they [00:40:30] when they take you up really quickly as well. But that was, um, yeah, we've had a lot of memorable um, You know, um, occasions on the show, Um, we had, um one of the guys, um, slipped in one of the rehearsals and broke his, um, his arm or his elbow or something. So that was a big a big to do in one of the rehearsals. And we had to get the ambulance, and and we thought that he wasn't going to be able to do, um, the show because it was in sort of one of the rehearsals closer to the, um, the the show. But, [00:41:00] um, he managed, and he, um, actually managed to have his, um, costume made so he could still have his arm and a So So That was quite good. Yeah, but you do. You do have laughs. Every show has its laughs. Yeah, coming up to the final queen of the whole universe. Do you have any thoughts on that? Um, I know it's gonna be a really good show, and I am looking forward to doing it. Um, there's going. I can't obviously tell you too much about it. Um, [00:41:30] but I know there's gonna be a lot of, um uh, past past things that are being in shows past um, coming into it. And, um and I know that there are people that are coming back into it from being in it from the past few years as well. So that's gonna be fun catching up with all of those people as well. Um, it is probably going to be sad that it is going to be the last one. I don't know what Jonathan's or if he's got any plans on what's going to happen after this, but I'm sure [00:42:00] that, um, you know, if he does come up with a concept that, you know, he'll get the support of you know, that the girls, the girls that have been in it and, um which is which is great. Yeah. What's it meant to you? Um, I think it's just as I say. It's just once a year that this event that you look forward to, you know, and, um in the rehearsals leading up to it, as I say, you know, you you meet the these people every you know, two nights a week, [00:42:30] and, um, you do build up these amazing friendships with people, and, um, the only sad part about it is after the show is finished. You know, you get really flapped and, you know, because you think Oh, you know, that's it over for another year, you know? And because you've been on a high for all those months leading up to it, um, yeah, you think afterwards you think, Oh, you know, it's all over now. You know, you you go have all that not stress. But you have all that excitement beforehand. And then it's just all gone after, you know, a couple of hours show. Um, [00:43:00] but but, you know, it makes you look forward to the next one and what you're gonna do for the next one, you know? So as I say, I don't know what's gonna happen after the show. What Jonathan's got in mind. So we'll have to wait and see. Just finally, if you had an opportunity on the night to speak to the audience, what would you say to them? Um, I would probably say, you know, thanks. You know, for your support over the years, um, you know, And, um thanks to all the other cast members, [00:43:30] you know, it's been great working with them as well. And I think you know, um, that we have to take our hats off to, you know, to everyone that's been involved in in the concept, both audience and cast members as well. Um, especially for, you know, raising money for, um, you know, AIDS awareness. And, um, all the charities that are involved with the show, Um, I think, you know, we've done a fantastic job, and, um, you know, hopefully it will continue, Yeah.
This page features computer generated text of the source audio. It may contain errors or omissions, so always listen back to the original media to confirm content.
Tags