Drag Idol is the UK’s biggest national cabaret talent competition and this year is happening in 18 venues in England and Wales. Here’s what you need to know and a list of the venues taking part.
Drag Idol UK is now in its 15th year and previous winners include Danny Beard, Tanya Hyde, Baga Chipz, La Voix, Martha D’Arthur, Son of a Tutu, Kelly Mild, Kevin Cruise, Vileda Moppe, LoUis CYfer, Tracy Barlow and last year’s champ Felix Le Freak.
The competition takes place in 18 venues in England and Wales, with the venues each having a series of heats to find their own champion. All 18 acts then go to three semi finals and a wild card semi final and we end up with four finalists competing at the end of June to be this year’s winner. They win a paid gig in each of the venues, and a slot on the main stage at Pride in London.
The competition is open to cabaret acts of all kinds, drag queens, drag kings, bio queens, non binary, singers, comics, anything and anyone that will entertain the LGBT+ community around the country.
The heats are always huge fun, each venue has its own hosts and judges, but they also need an audience, so it’s up to you Boyz readers to support your local heats and help find new talent. A couple of the venues have already started heats, but most are beginning this week.
Check the website for details: dragidoluk2019.uk
Drag Idol 2019 venues
The Two Brewers (Clapham)
Sundowners (Margate)
Eden (Birmingham)
Halfway II Heaven (Charing Cross)
Quay Pride (Great Yarmouth)
OMG (Bristol)
Mary’s (Cardiff)
The Kings (Swansea)
OMG (Plymouth)
The Old Ship (Limehouse)
Central Station (Kings Cross)
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern (Vauxhall)
The Victoria (Walthamstow)
Via (Manchester)
On The Rocks (Hastings)
OMG (Liverpool)
Charles Street Tap (Brighton)
Admiral Duncan (Soho)
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