All posts tagged: drag queen

Review – The Queen of Ireland

The Queen of Ireland is a documentary film about the life of Rory O’Neill, better known as Irish drag queen Panti Bliss. The film looks at everything from O’Neill’s life growing up gay in the small town of Ballinrobe, County Mayo, to living with HIV and his gay rights activism, particularly in the lead up to the historic marriage equality referendum in Ireland in 2015. The film is beautifully directed by Conor Horgan who, until this point, was most well known for directing the 2009 post-apocalyptic Irish drama One Hundred Mornings, the winner of many awards. After watching The Queen of Ireland though, I can’t help but feel he has reached new levels of artistic achievement, and that this film will go down as a classic in queer cinema. You see, he didn’t just lay out the facts of a story already written, he captured the honest, intelligent and quirky character that is Rory O’Neill/Panti Bliss. He showed us why Panti is a hero and an inspiration for LGBTI activists everywhere, even when, in fact …

FRINGE REVIEW: #madashell The Musical

Fringe World Perth went out with a bang this year with Dean Misdale’s show “#madashell The Musical” gracing the stage of Four5Nine Bar on Saturday and Sunday night to sold out audiences. The show, performed by Misdale’s alter ego Feminem,  brought to life YouTube series #madashell in comedy cabaret form, and was full of real life encounters and parody songs to boot. To the sound of some familiar tunes, and in sequinned attire, Feminem takes you on a journey of epic proportions, and gives insight into what makes her #madeashell; something not to be missed. After all, hell hath no fury like an angry drag queen. From singing about curious strangers who think it’s ok to touch drag queens without permission, to the finger lickin’ goodness that is KFC, there was something in there for everyone! And, to round off the performance: a costume change, some lip-syncing (what’s a drag show without it), and an all round bitch session on what made people in the audience #madashell. Feminem had the audience laughing from start to …