Thu 18 Sep 2008 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
2008 is the fifth anniversary of the Queen of the Whole Universe pageant and its creative director says this year there'll be a record number of entertainers on stage, including opera-singing star Helen Medlyn performing and TVOne newsreader Alison Mau confirmed as head judge. Crowning the Queen: Miss Brazil wins Queen of the Whole Universe in 2007 Auckland's queerest pageant – featuring 'girls' from around the world and across the galaxy – is set to return to the Aotea Centre on Saturday 15 November. The fifth anniversary show will be accompanied by a photographic exhibition of highlights from the pervious four shows and never-before-seen rehearsal peeks. The show, hosted by the Aotea Centre, will include three different audiovisual showings – one of last year's show, one a behind the scenes documentary, and one a slideshow of more photos. The basis of the show is a beauty pageant with a difference, where most of the cast are boys dressed as girls. Over 40 'girls' and 12 'boys' will appear on stage in 2008 – the most so far. "There's a lot of new blood this year, and the new people are bringing their new creative concepts – especially for the headgear," reveals the show's creative director Jonathan Smith. "We're excited about the talent we have in store for you this November. It's great to have Helen Medlyn back – she performed at our first-ever show, and Alison Mau has agreed to the difficult task of heading the team that pick the winner. We're also thrilled to have choreographer Tane Mete joining us this year. It's sure to be our best-ever pageant." Each year's Queen of the Whole Universe pageant is a fundraiser for the NZ AIDS Foundation, and the event has so far raised over $100,000 for the local fight against HIV/AIDS. Premium Reserve and A reserve tickets for the show have already sold out, but Smith says limited seats remain in the stalls, some good seats at the back of the Circle are available, and the balcony level has now opened for bookings.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 18th September 2008 - 10:48pm