Drag Seen

The drag act has always enjoyed a special place in the hearts of the British public. From the earliest days of music hall and pantomime to the  organised chaos of LIPSYNC1000 at The Glory, drag has been a thriving part of the working class entertainment scene and in recent decades a reflection of the socio-political climate in the UK. Drag can be Danny La Rue on Mother Kelly's Doorstep or it can be Panti Bliss eloquently campaigning for Marriage Equality. It can be a history of music with Hinge & Brackett or it can be Johnny Woo, subversive and wholly contemporary.  

I have to say that I was particularly pleased to eventually get to see La Voix at The Crazy Coqs last week. I have seen the artist several times on stage over the years in various guises. Enough to know that he is not only very talented, he is also extremely adaptable. Through pantos and drag shows, La Voix finally gained wider public recognition as a finalist on Britain's Got Talent.

So what is La Voix's schtick? What's her USP? That's very simple - talent. La Voix works the cabaret bar like a seasoned pro - frighteningly quick off the mark with lots of fresh, topical jokes. Believe me, I've seen drag queens using the same material ten years down the line and it shows. But it isn't La Voix's wicked sense of humour that defines this show, it the vocal talent. Live vocals, of course. Check out the wonderful Connie & Carla to see how unusual that is on the US drag scene. La Voix has a thrilling vocal technique that raises the bar for all other performers and an uncanny gift for vocal impersonation that is founded in respect and admiration for the artists he mimics. 

La Voix is an old-school talent with a cutting edge sense of humour. The act is hugely entertaining and fits comfortably into the stylish surroundings of The Crazy Coqs. I'm not totally sure of future dates, but judging by the healthy full house on the Wednesday evening that I caught the show, it's a guaranteed draw.