4.30PM: Rumours that Wellingtonians will have a chance to see the lavish Queen of the Whole Universe pageant have been confirmed this afternoon, with the date for the show understood to be Saturday February 16th. The drag pageant's creative director, Jonathan Smith, speaking en route from a Christmas break in the central North Island, says he is unable to confirm much at present until final details have been signed off and a formal announcement made by Te Papa which is to host the show as part of its 10th birthday celebrations. The Te Papa performance came about after one of its staffers saw the Auckland show a month ago, says Smith. "Te Papa's event manager who attended the show this year was very impressed and contacted me soon after to discuss the possibility." Smith hopes most of the cast of forty will be able to travel south for the performance. "Logistically this is a big venture. I am always very mindful of the brand and must be able to present the show in it’s entirety or as close as possible in order not to loose the vision or purpose." Smith believes "a few" of the backstage crew will be available to help with the Wellington performance, but hopes they can be augmented by local Wellington volunteers. Though cagey about releasing further details, Smith is clearly thrilled about taking the show out of Auckland. "Naturally I am very excited even to be asked, this is a true acknowledgement of the work the artistic team, cast and crew have put into this show." The annual Queen of the Whole Universe pageant was developed by Smith as a fundraiser for the NZ AIDS Foundation five years ago and has so far raised just over $100,000 for non-government funded HIV prevention and support work. Smith says the costs associated with taking the show to Wellington make it unlikely the February 16 performance will be a fundraiser.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 29th December 2007 - 4:40pm