Drag Kings: Style Icons Are Ripping Up The Underground Scene In The UK

Watch These Women Transform Into Drag Kings With Spectacular Results

Drag is about drawing attention to the public performance of gender and being a drag king is no different.

Essentially, to be a drag king you have to be someone who identifies as a female and performs as a male, although many people who define across the gender spectrum also partake in the performance.

Though not exclusive, the scene usually sits within the LGBT community. Exploring gender fluidity on a public stage can traced back to as early as the 1800s.

Adam All runs a drag king event in London

London's drag king Adam All spoke to the Huffington Post UK and said: "Being involved in drag as an art form, developing my character, performing as a drag king, has all become far more than a hobby, and now far more than a legitimate income; it is an obsession, a way of life,

"The drag king scene has always been pretty underground but over the last few years we have seen the emergence of groups and club nights that are helping to broaden the understanding and accessibility of this art form. I'm really proud to have been an active part of that and I hope that the steady growth of the scene continues."

The Transformation

It takes a lot of make-up and serious dedication to be transformed into a drag king.

Lots of performers strap or bind their chest to give themselves a more convincing masculine figure and some even pencil on beards and facial hair.

The clothing worn is usually for stage performance, so bright colours and over the top lavish designs are commonplace.

Some drag kings prefer to dress up as famous icons such as Freddie Mercury in the examples below:

Drag Kings

Adam also spoke about the venues that currently run nightly events: "The scene continues to grow as it has been with the'Kings' bar in Blackpool, 'Boi Zone' on Canal Street, Manchester, 'FMAS' and 'BarWotever' at the RVT, The Admiral Duncan and The Marlborough's King of the Fringe.

He currently runs a successful monthly event named BOi BOX in London.

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