Shuffling into the Megamouth on the much-anticipated opening weekend of FRINGE WORLD, I thought I knew what I’d be in for with Drag Queen Comedy Hour - some lip-syncs, some songs, some jokes - but host, star and Perthonality Dean Misdale, ensured Drag Queen Comedy Hour had more surprises tucked into places you never thought possible. 

Seeing AUSLAN interpreters at our various Premier or PM’s sides has been a familiar sight on our screens over the last 12 months, and Drag Queen Comedy Hour replicated that scene with outrageous slapstick consequences, with their very own interpreter for the entire duration of the show. Not technically one of the Queens (and we were also treated to a King), but very much one of the unexpected stars of the night, FRINGE WORLD’s commitment to accessibility this year with almost twenty shows (and counting) featuring an experienced AUSLAN theatre interpreter, is a commendable achievement.  

Drag Queen Comedy Hour features some of Perth’s leading stars in Perth’s vibrant Drag scene, all who dominated the stage during their performances in daringly Diva fashion. Lip-syncing with an ample dose of audience participation, whether it was from our beloved Queens or our pint-sized token King, electrified the tent. Dean, known among the community as Feminem, kept his fashion game strong and the energy high, with his quick wit and sharp observations, and ensured nothing was safe from topical musical parody as he continued to stun us all with his vocal range and control. One of the absolute highlights of the night for me was a routine that involved an oversized knitted mask and a slow, silly striptease. The final reveal was absolute comedy gold (or technically, blonde). 

I went to Drag Queen Comedy Hour expecting the glitz and glamour of a drag show, and the team did not disappoint, but the real magic for me were those inclusive and genuine little touches that enabled authentic audience involvement. Where the power of performance lies is through dispelling stereotypes and becoming more accessible for all, and Drag Queen Comedy Hour helps us scratch a little beneath the surface of drag’s sometimes harder, gel-coated and liplined exterior.