Cocky Horror: Brisbane’s Drag Kings Take Over The Frankenstein Place
Image: Image: Supplied
Brisbane’s drag kings are taking control of the laboratory.
Cocky Horror sees Meanjin’s Kings of Kaos gather at the Frankenstein place for a parody cabaret floor show celebrating the cult phenomenon that made fishnets, pearl necklaces and glorious strangeness a queer tradition.
Sapphic-heavy, queer, trans and disability-led, the production reimagines The Rocky Horror Show through drag, sideshow, burlesque, live vocals and multimedia projection, giving the cult classic a distinctly contemporary Meanjin makeover. Rather than simply recreating the familiar characters and moments audiences know and love, Kings of Kaos are throwing open the laboratory doors and putting their own deliciously chaotic spin on the material.
The season carries particular significance following the recent death of Tim Curry, who originated Dr Frank-N-Furter in the 1973 stage production before making the role immortal on screen in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Cocky Horror offers an irreverent celebration of the freedom, sexuality and queer possibility his performance inspired for audiences around the world, while providing the perfect opportunity to remember the screen icon and his incredible legacy.
For generations of LGBTQIA+ audiences, Rocky Horror has offered a space where gender rules could be broken, sexuality celebrated and outsiders invited to take centre stage. That spirit of rebellion makes it fertile ground for the Kings of Kaos.
The troupe have appeared at events and venues across Brisbane and South East Queensland, including Brisbane Pride, Logan Loud and Proud, Big Gay Day and Melt. Expect extravagant costumes, cult performance references, high-energy choreography and performers ready to draw the audience directly into their chaotic night at the Frankenstein place.
Whether you know every word of the Time Warp or you’re entering the laboratory for the first time, expect things to get wonderfully weird.
With three performances across Melt, including a Halloween matinee, Cocky Horror promises a rowdy collision of cult cinema, cabaret and unapologetic queer desire.
23, 31 October & 6 November
Sit Down Comedy Club, Paddington
standup.com.au
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