Carrie Lyell gets all hot and bothered at the final of Man Up
Being on the judging panel at the final of The Glory’s legendary competition Man Up this week was anything but a drag.
I joined my fellow judges Don One, Frankie Sinatra, John Sizzle, and Caryn Franklyn MBE – plus a raucous and randy crowd of hundreds – and packed into Styx in north London for a mega swoon fest as 16 of the finest kings the UK has to offer took to the stage hoping to cruise into the night £1000 richer.
We witnessed something quite incredible – and more than a little arousing. It was a testosterone-fuelled wild ride as each and every act brought something deliciously different to the stage. And the competition was fierce. So much so that it looked like we weren’t going to be able to pick a winner. But after some serious alcohol-fuelled deliberations, we handed the crown to birthday boy Elliot Hunter who wowed us with a sexy and smooth spoken word performance full of style and swag.
ELLIOT HUNTER is THE WINNER of MAN UP 2018! #dragking #fuckgender #rockstar #WEARE pic.twitter.com/ogIUT1IKLo
— THE GLORY. 🻠(@TheGloryLondon) March 8, 2018
In second place was Mac Chismo, a sexy, seedy cowboy who got us more than a little hot under the collar with an unforgettable Brokeback Mountain inspired performance. And taking a hugely well-deserved third place on the podium was the fantastic Agent Cooper, whose Misleading Man took Pot Noodles to a place we never thought possible. We'll never be able to look at those saucy pots in the same way again.
AGENT COOPER
“Drag doesn't have to be about performance”
DIVA: Congrats on a fantastic performance! Have you recovered yet?
AGENT COOPER: Aw thanks! Just scraped myself off the chandeliers and downin' a few breakfast Bloody Mary flavoured Pot Noodles from my winner's cup, so should be right as rain soon…
For those who weren’t lucky enough to be there, tell us about your act.
In a world where dark forces abound ONE MAN can save civilisation as we know it, get the girl, win the big fight, defeat the bad guys and look hot doing it… MISLEADING MAN is a slobbish-drag-clown who dreams of being the leading man of every action movie ever made but in reality sits alone at home, in his pants, scratchin’ his bits and munchin’ junk food. He's a hapless mash-up of Arnie, Sly, Van Damme and all the rest, massively conceited, a total flirt and reliant on his audience to help him construct his tough guy hero dream world… once he finishes his Pot Noodle.
How did you get into drag? How long have you been performing?
It's been a long and windy path! I'm the co-founder of a night and collective called Dive Queer Party in Scotland, an eclectic, anything-goes performance troupe for, by and of the people which promotes the power of positive expression though our cabarets and parties. So I've been baw deep (that's Scots for very closely involved…) in drag and queer performance for five years. My co-founder Miss Annabel Sings and our beautiful Dive family have helped slowly coax me out from the wings onto the stage. I spent a lot of time exploring clothes and costume, make up and personas first in that safe and supportive environment. With Dive we try to create a really warm experimental space (a bit like Man Up and The Glory) so I started doing little bits for other performer's acts. But it's really when I began working with my drag-clown bro' and collaborator King Biff last summer that I got the confidence to make stuff as a pair – and then eventually with much support and encouragement from Biff and others, I got the confidence to make my own act and enter Man Up.
On a scale from one to boyfriend material, where would Misleading Man be?
Hmm*, I reckon the description above probably tells you all you need to know… BUT if sittin’ on a crusty sofa watching Terminator on repeat with a microwaved pizza is your thang then CALL ME (please bring pizza). Minus 3.5?!
*scratches bits thoughtfully
Tell us about your forefathers. Who are the drag kings you look up to?
My biggest influence is definitely the amazing artist and drag king Diane Torr who was based in Glasgow until she sadly died last year. Her stage appearances and Man For A Day workshops are legendary. She was capable of complete transformation – into characters like Danny King and MisterEE – by adopting supposedly inherently, “god given” male traits and was able to distill and teach them to others. The women who took part in her workshops were able to experience the world as a man, which was incredibly liberating and often transformational for them. She changed people's perspectives and made real impact on people's lives with an art form and exploration which she developed over her lifetime, which is an amazing legacy to leave and what artists are supposed to do, right?! Myself and Dive were lucky enough to work with her many times in the short time we knew each other. I think there's definitely a sense now that she was before her time and that the impact and importance of her work is only really becoming clear now as queer narratives and identities are more visible, discussed and explored. She was always so generous in sharing her knowledge and experience with others at the same time as being ruthlessly experimental, provocative and open to trying new things. I think she’d be excited and proud to see the blossoming drag king scene in Scotland and the UK. Her book, the film Man For A Day workshops and the movie Venus Boyz have all been great places to find inspiration and do research.
My drag-clown bro King Biff is also a major inspiration. Their Pick Up Artist is a truly disgusting ridiculously and hilarious act that is likely to be coming to a city near you soon: https://www.facebook.com/kingbiff/. And of course Man Up's own Adam All who has done so much for the visibility of Kings with Boi Box and Man Up. I'm also excited and inspired by the blossoming drag king scene in Scotland and the UK at the mo with Nights like The King’s Court (at The Rabbit Hole at CC Blooms) here in Edinburgh and places like Bar Wotever, Kingdom and The Glory down south are leading the way.
What’s so special about Man Up?
Ah, Man Up. Thank you! For Drag Kings there is nothing else like it. It's such a warm experimental space and the standard is really high and varied. Whether it’s genius cosplay, screwing with gender’s performativity, inhabiting male spaces or ripping the piss out of the patriarchy on stage, there is so much to see and be inspired by. The Glory is the perfect host too. Thanks to Adam, Jonny, Jamie, Emma and all the staff for making it such a joy. And of course the radge and horny audience who were just delicious in every way.
What advice would you give to any would-be drag kings out there?
If you've got an itch, scratch it (as Misleading Man would say)! The incredible diversity of performances at Man Up was seriously impressive and proves that everyone has something unique and interesting to say. And drag doesn't necessarily have to be about performance. I spent a lot of time exploring looks and personas before making it onto the stage. I feel really lucky to have had a community around me through Dive Queer Party and my drag-clown partner in crime King Biff – having a buddy and other folks around you that are doing it and trying it gives you so much confidence and freedom to try things out. That's obviously more easy in a big city like London or Edinburgh but have a look online if that's not possible. Instagram, YouTube and Facebook is your oyster for inspiration and finding a community… Diane Torr's work is a great place to find inspiration too. Her Man for a Day workshops – as well as the resultant film and her book, Sex, Drag, And Male Roles: Investigating Gender As Performance – are a great resource for people interested in developing their drag king persona. But basically… just do it!
Where can we see you perform next?
Dive Queer Party's next show is exactly one month away and Misleading Man will be making an appearance as it's an Oscars rip off/awards ceremony special – more info and links below:
Dive presents The Miss Annabel Sings Variety Show: Goddess Awards
Roll out the red carpet
Drape yerself in diamante
And join DIVE QUEER PARTY for the world's first
MISS ANNABEL SINGS VARIETY SHOW: GODDESS AWARDS!
Forget those out of date, overblown Golden-Oscar-Gongs! Cum with Dive as we celebrate the GODDESS INSIDE ALL OF US with THE star-studded, glitter-splatted awards ceremony of the season.
Hosted by MISS ANNABEL SINGS, with a glittering line-up of Oscar-worthy performance, drag artistry, audience games, music and mayhem.
MAC CHISMO
“I learnt pretty young how much fun playing with gender is”
DIVA: Congrats on a fantastic performance! Have you recovered yet?
MAC CHISMO: Still in a minor state of shock. Voice a bit hoarse from cheering so much! EVERYONE WAS SO AMAZING! Definitely popped a couple of paracetamol this morning…
For those who weren’t lucky enough to be there, tell us about your act.
Mac is a pretty seedy dude – he thinks of himself as irresistible, and basically wants to rub against anything that moves… but deep down there's a soft, romantic edge to him. Man Up was a chance to show this – with the cabaret alternative ending to Brokeback Mountain we didn't know we'd been waiting for. Mac's really tried to cover all bases: there's a hobby horse, lassoing, dildos, Willie Nelson… no rock left unturned on the road to true love between cowboys.
How did you get into drag? How long have you been performing?
My sister sat me down to watch Priscilla Queen Of The Desert when I was four years old, and that was it really… I learnt pretty young how much fun playing with gender is! Every musical through high school I auditioned for and got the male roles, and I've been partying as a drag king or queen on and off the last few years – Mac's counterpart is trashy lass named Fauxlene. Man Up has been my first time performing to a crowd – I was honestly just hoping I wouldn't fall off the stage, let alone make it to the final. It’s all been a bit surreal!
On a scale from one to boyfriend material, where would Mac be?
Depends what floats your boat… you might not introduce Mac to your parents, he's probs not an ideal wedding date, but you definitely wouldn't kick him out of bed. He swings both (all) ways, and he ain't a fuckboy either. A solid 5.
Tell us about your forefathers. Who are the drag kings you look up to?
MANLY STANLEY. Oooft. Frankie Sinatra and Don One – not 'cause they were judges – they're both drag king heroes of mine! Adam All – what more can you say? An absolute icon. Zayn Phallic is doing amazing things for the scene – anyone who hasn't been to The KOC Initiative yet is missing out. For reals. And a big shoutout to FMAs – which was the first night in London I really felt comfortable to unleash and explore my inner king as an attendee. You can turn up in a jockstrap with a handlebar mustache and dance the night away. Heaven.
What’s so special about Man Up?
I remember when Man Up started, it was PANDEMONIUM! Still is! Everyone talks about it coming up again in the calendar, we've all tried to avoid the mass queueing, and we've all fangirled HARD over the last few years. Anyone who witnessed the first coming of Shesus – I was there, I feel you. Man Up has really brought together the female/non-binary queer community; I have always felt so at ease attending, and you can actually see the stage! In Heat 4 Adam All asked a couple of tall guys standing at the front to move to the back, and I was like "YESSS MATE!" We need that. We need a space where we can feel empowered. We need a space that makes us feel comfortable to try new things – there were SO many new kings this year, and the feeling of support from backstage to the back of the bar was palpable. As a king, and as a patron, I love Man Up for giving us that. Special shoutout to The Glory AKA the best queer venue in London – it doesn't matter what night of the week, what event is on, it always feels like home.
What advice would you give to any would-be drag kings out there?
Go for it. Honestly, I entered Man Up to have fun and make people laugh. You can't keep that king inside you forever – he needs to be set free! Flesh him out in your bedroom, take him for a turn on the dance floor. If the stage beckons, Man Up 2019 is calling – I'll be front and centre cheering my butt off for you!
Where can we see you perform next?
Frankie Sinatra has already lined me up for Kings of Clubs – 21 March @ RVT. I'm so excited! You never know, you might get lassoed on stage…
Elliot Hunter
"Feel comfortable being vulnerable"
DIVA: Congrats on your victory! Have you recovered yet?
ELLIOT HUNTER: I have not nearly recovered! It's my birthday today as well so I'm not planning to be sober until the end of the week. The celebrations are going to last for a long time. I feel so blessed to be part of this movement.
For those who weren’t lucky enough to be there, tell us about your act.
Elliot Hunter is a lover. He is the guy every woman wants to be with and the guy every man wants to be. The act was the projection of an artist, the intention of the performance was to make people in sync to allow people to come together in feeling the same emotion, to feel comfortable being vulnerable and letting poetry take you places, and initially the place where you want to be .
How did you get into drag? How long have you been performing?
I've just started performing. I originally got into drag to help me with an audition, which was successful, then I got caught up in the beautiful world of drag.
On a scale from 1 to boyfriend material, where would Elliot be?
My act is everything material.
Tell us about your forefathers. Who are the drag kings you look up to?
I really look up to Adam All. His drag is so perfect I have to double take. I'm literally taken back by him – he's such a gentleman. Zayn Phallic is also a great drag king, part of KOC initiative. The talent from Zayn is off the wall… anybody would be lucky to see him perform.
What’s so special about Man Up?
Man up is a platform for empowerment. It breaks any and every boundary and allows people to be openly expressive. It gives people the thought that they can be whoever they want to be, and I am so down for being whoever I want to be.
What advice would you give to any would-be drag kings out there?
Do it. Literally, just do it. Be whoever you want to be and be whoever you think you can be. There are not nearly enough drag kings, and the family is so welcoming and open.
Where can we see you perform next?
I'm not sure yet, are you going to book me? I'll be wherever you want me to be…
Keep up to date with everything Man Up, including dates for a special Easter show, at facebook.com/manuplondon.
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