Watch a unique show that explores gender fluidity and the drag subculture through a cabaret and tribute to Shammi Kapoor
We are all familiar with drag queens — men who dress in ostentatious feminine garb and exaggerated makeup and perform at clubs and in cabarets. But did you know that there is such a thing as a drag king? If your interest is piqued, catch a performance of The Gentlemen's Club aka Tape, a Patchworks Ensemble production that will be staged at Cafe Zoe.
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Set in an imaginary underground club in Mumbai, the cabaret-style show follows the lives of drag kings who perform in the city. "Drag is a celebration of masculinity and femininity, and taking ownership of whatever gender you want to be," says Sheena Khalid, who has co-devised as well as co-directed the show. She adds, "It doesn't follow a linear plot line, but rather explores an evening in the lives of two drag kings in the fictitiously titled The Gentlemen's Club."
A still from the show
The show was staged for the first time back in September 2015, and Khalid shares that it came about as a collaboration with queer collective Gaysi Family. "We were interested in doing something around drag kings, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Puja [Sarup], Rachel [D'Souza] and I got together with Vikram Phukan to devise the show."
Sarup essays the role of a veteran drag king called Rocky, who goes by the name Shammsher on stage. He pays homage to Bollywood star of yesteryear, Shammi Kapoor, and to the golden era of Hindi cinema. Khalid, meanwhile, stars as Alex, a young drag king whose act is inspired by contemporary pop icon Justin Timberlake.
Puja Sarup as Rocky aka Shammsher
We get a glimpse into the lives behind the characters — and into the drag subculture, as a whole — when D'Souza, who plays a documentary filmmaker, comes to interview them.
Sheena Khalid as Alex akaâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088JT
Apart from this trio, the cast includes Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, actor and trained Bharatanatyam dancer Mukti Mohan, as well as dancer/choreographer Amey Mehta. Khalid shares that the latter helped the cast by teaching them how to adapt and perfect the mannerisms of a man. "A lot of the persona also comes to life once we slip into our costumes — the shimmery jackets, the wigs, and the shoes," she adds.
How would she describe the show? "It's loud, it's colourful; it's got plenty of music and dance. It's an assault on the senses," chuckles Khalid.
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