What is your show about?
The show starts with a naïve drag king Harden Long first applying to be an astronaut. As his career grows a romance develops with fellow drag king Rex Spandex. Harden becomes the superstar who can do no wrong until his fame starts to go to his head, and things begin to unravel.
What sets your show apart from others at Fringe?
Drag kings in space is a great theme, and the emotional and physical journey they go on is a wild ride. At times it’s funny, at times it’s raw and vulnerable, but it’s always entertaining. The show is really well put together with the support of some amazingly talented people.
How does your show push the envelope in terms of creativity and convention?
We’ve certainly never heard of a mockumentary blending video and live drag before. Drag shows are typically less about developing a plot than in Planet of the Kings. Our story explores the world of poly queer masculinity, which is also a pretty unusual angle on space travel.
What should a punter expect from your show?
You can expect Rex Spandex (Winner of ChillOut’s Jewel in the Crown 2016) and Harden Long (Kong’s Kings heartthrob) to entertain you with their mesmerising chemistry, camp theatrics and thrilling twists. Planet of the Kings incorporates live-performance and filmed archival interviews to tell a gripping emotional story of love and danger.
What part of contemporary Australian culture does your show engage with?
Our show explores queer culture, masculinity and ideas of gender and sexuality. We feel like these are important ideas to shine a light on in Australian culture right now.
You don’t need to be queer to identify with this story though. Through these characters we tell a story of love and connection that people from all walks of life can identify with.
What are the key influences that informed your show?
Planet of the Kings is an undeniable homage to David Bowie and Freddie Mercury. We’re big fans of glam rock, and while not all the songs in the show are from that era, I don’t think anyone will leave the show without feeling the glam.
