David Inglis

This abstract summarizes a podcast interview recorded on April 29, 2012, in which David Inglis discusses their involvement in the "Queen of the Whole Universe" beauty pageant. The "Queen of the Whole Universe" pageant is a drag event held in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, that began in the early 2000s as a community and fundraising event, primarily to benefit the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.

David Inglis describes the initial experience as a participant who had not previously performed in drag. They admit to being a thespian who, excited by an opportunity to return to the stage, joined as a cast member in what was then a new and raw adventure.

The first rehearsals for the pageant were held at the Sky City Theatre, with about 40 participants ranging from seasoned performers to novices. The energy and excitement were palpable, especially for those newly stepping onto a theatre stage. The inaugural event set a precedent for the audience's enthusiasm, creating an electric atmosphere that was reciprocated by the performers.

David highlights the transformative experience of performing, including the thrill of audience applause, the camaraderie forged with fellow participants, and the safe and inclusive environment that the event fostered. The warm and congenial dynamic among the cast members was notably devoid of negativity, contributing to a friendly and enjoyable experience.

Over time, David contributed to the event in various capacities, from wearing elaborate costumes representing different countries to supporting roles as a "boy." Costume costs could be significant, with David having invested a substantial amount for an Act Two costume representing Greece. Many participants willingly incurred such expenses as part of their charitable contributions to the event.

David differentiates the experience of participating in the pageant from traditional drag performance; while the former is viewed more as theatrical presentation, the latter is associated with performances outside of a theatre context. Each participant has the freedom to create their character, with guidance from the artistic team led by Jonathan and Kevin who bring in professional staging and choreography, even though the performers themselves are amateurs.

The abstract concludes by touching on the significance of the audience, noting stark differences between cities – with Wellington's artistic community being significantly different from Auckland's community-based viewership. The interview underscores the profound appreciation for the audience's support over the years and the hope for the future evolution of the event.

Overall, this podcast captures the essence of a unique community event that combined elements of drag, pageantry, and philanthropy, showing its significant impact on those involved and its audience.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

David Inglis

2000s, aotearoa new zealand, auckland, david inglis, drag, performance, queen of the whole universe, theatre

acting, audience, beauty, change, choreography, coming up, community, competition, costumes, dancing, design, difference, division, donation, drag queen, energy, environment, expectations, family, friends, fun, gay, hate, individual, italy, ladies, lesbian, makeup, music, nature, normal, opportunity, other, palmerston north, people, podcast, prison, queen, queer, reading, scene, singing, space, straight, support, time, toronto, trust, walking, wellington, work