Roll out the red carpet and bring out the fine china – royalty is arriving in Hackney.
The grand final of Europe’s biggest drag king competition Man Up is taking place at EartH on April 18, and the boys are padding their pants and binding their chests in preparation.
For the past six weeks, kings have been battling it out in a series of heats at the Glory pub in Haggerston, with some even coming from abroad to take part. Man Up gives the opportunity for drag kings of all talents, styles and levels of experience to compete – for some, the heat was their first whack at doing drag.
Audiences can expect performances from across the spectrum, including singing, lip-synching, stripping, comedy, dance and more. Legendary king Adam All and punk drag star Baby Lame will act as hosts for the evening.
This year’s finalists include a damning satirical takedown of Louis CK, a disillusioned Eighties yuppie and a trust fund kid who found himself in Thailand.
One drag king will be crowned victorious by a panel of judges, including the Glory’s own Jonny Woo, Apple Derrieres and theatre stalwart Rikki Beadle-Blair, and walk away with a £1000 prize.
Scroll through the gallery above to meet the kings vying for this year’s Man Up crown.
The Man Up Grand Final is at EartH, 11-17 Stoke Newington Road on April 18, tickets here.
