Menopause – The Drag Show

Laugh, Dare, Drag

by Louw Mulder

Yes, they lip-sync, and boldly also admit to this fact early on during their performance, but as they say: “At least we do it better than Britney!” But a performance you can expect from the men of Menopause or rather extravagant drag artists in the true sense of the word, is nothing short of sheer entertainment.

This show is not for the faint hearted and definitely one of those where parental guidance is advised with a PG-rating of 16.  An open mind and a liberal taste for naughty laughter is a fixed prerequisite. The show is raunchy, visibly under the belt, but enjoyable and as a matter of fact, an established form of art in the gay community globally.

Betty Bangles, Charnè Churchill, Levine Dolcevita and the sassy Kitana, are the four characters in this show, performed by Bernard Buys, Kendrick Thomas, Paul van Zyl and Chris Williams, respectively.  Even though the four characters rotate on a weekly basis to produce a threesome of funny sexual chuckles, each combination promises to tickle more than just the obvious.

Included in the repertoire of this show, are songs like Proud Mary by Tina Turner, ABBA’s Does your mother know, When you’re good to mamma from the musical Chicago, and even Rocky Horror’s Time Warp, to name a few. The twist in the cover versions of these well-known classics, is censored for this review, but purely a must see for a somewhat different night out.

The four drag queens, as they are more commonly known, are not shy, very witty, with decades of experience under their wigs between the four of them. Their interaction with the audience is tactfully daring, but has been carefully mastered through the years. Be warned that you may become a part of their show, but don’t fight it – they have huge hair.

“I love to make people laugh” says Bernard Buys: “I live for the theatre and the immediate reaction from the audience. I don’t drag because I want to be a woman. Betty is a character I created, that provides escape, in that it allows me to get away with a lot of things on stage, where I can cross that line sometimes…”

Inspired by the Heydays of the 50’s and the trend-setting styles of Miami’s South Beach, Beefcakes was established in 1959. After the huge success it earned in Cape Town, it now also operates in full swing, in Ilovo, Johannesburg. Famous for their ripped, well defined waiters, this venue makes the best place for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, or just a good night out, for no reason.

Menopause – The Drag Show, performs every Friday night at Beefcakes, Ilovo. Bookings are essential and Tickets are only R250.00 per person and all the stuff you need to create your own burger and some complimentary shooters, are included in this price. Bookings can be made at www.beefcakes.co.za, or 011 447 5266.