A sold-out audience piled into the Powerhouse Theatre to witness the quick wit comedy of the season six winner of America’s 'RuPaul’s Drag Race', and it was somewhat astounding to see such a large audience for a drag show.
The show began with a video, compiled of footage of Bianca, or Roy Haylock, growing up. Some of the footage was clearly genuine, while it was hard to distinguish if the rest was cleverly edited to seem old, or actually real. Regardless, we were taken on a journey through time, as Roy narrated the highs and lows of life up to now, including the day he decided he wanted to be a drag queen.
© Magnus Hastings
And with that, entered Bianca. She was dressed in a glittering red gown and a blonde up-do, with the usual heavy makeup she refers to as “clown realness”. The show was a story of self-discovery and audience participation, as Bianca called out everyone she possibly could in the crowd in front of her.
Sitting on stage was a real life rolodex, which Bianca referred to every time she started speaking about a new topic. The rolodex acted as an on-stage teleprompter, and helped Bianca stay on track. This was not surprising; the amount of improvisation throughout the show was extremely impressive.
Around half way through the show, Australia’s own Courtney Act joined Bianca on stage. A runner-up in the same season as Bianca on 'Drag Race', Courtney became known as a singer on the first season of 'Australian Idol'. After enduring some of Bianca’s famous shade, Courtney began a rendition of ‘Send In The Clowns’, as Bianca sat beside her and occasionally interrupted with one-liners and insults (all in good fun). Courtney was on stage for around 15 minutes before leaving Bianca to continue the show on her own.
The show ended with a Q&A with audience members. Questions were submitted to Bianca before the show, which she boldly answered before everyone. One person in particular told Bianca of how his ex-boyfriend was in the audience with his new partner, and should he run into him, what should he say? Bianca didn’t hesitate to then invite the boy on stage with her, before setting him up for a meet and greet with her after the show. But she couldn’t end it without telling the ex-boyfriend exactly what she thought of him, of course.
© Magnus Hastings
Bianca Del Rio presented a night to remember. The sold-out audience proved the huge following she gained after winning 'Drag Race', and the buzzing crowd leaving the theatre proved her exceptional talent for quick wit and improvised gold.
Five out of five clowns!
