Features / Drag
Drag makes its return to the physical stage
“2020 has definitely been a hard year for any entertainer,” says Alyssa Van Delle, one of Bristol’s most prominent drag queens.
Alyssa, who has been part of Drag Queen Story Time, performed at Bristol Pride and counts RuPaul’s Drag Race star Baga Chipz as her mentor, says that the past year has been challenging but has encouraged her and other big Bristol drag names to find new ways to showcase their art.
Like many artists in Bristol and beyond, the coronavirus pandemic has forced a shift in the way entertainment is enjoyed.
is needed now More than ever
Alyssa, along with much of the city’s drag scene, went online during lockdown and have continued to predominantly stream their shows.
Discussing everything from current news events to the latest gossip, Alyssa launched Loose Lips during the first lockdown.
“My job is to entertain,” she said. “And I wanted to carry on doing that; giving people something to smile about and look forward to from the comfort of their own homes.”
Alyssa hosts two shows in January. Photo: Alyssa Van Delle
Similarly to Alyssa, who has previously featured on the front cover of Bristol24/7’s print magazine, drag cabaret Brizzle Boyz went virtual, queer promoter Clare Lowe of Wig in a Box Promotions hosted drag artists on Instagram and Zoom, and LGBTQ+ performers of colour, including Manly Mannington and Carbon Monoxide, were given centre stage on Kiki Bristol’s Instagram.
“The Bristol scene has done an incredible job of dealing with such an unprecedented event,” says Alyssa.
“Live entertainment is such a crucial part of Bristol I feel and it was incredible to see Bristol queer artists taking to online streaming platforms to put on shows and experiment with new concepts, not only to keep their art alive but to bring a smile to peoples faces and a bit of entertainment.”
While Alyssa and other queer performers have embraced the world of virtual performance, as its allowed them to focus on other areas of their art form and learn new skills, this drag queen is eager to get back on stage, with two shows booked for the new year.
Sum Ting Wong from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will perform with host by Alyssa Van Delle at the Queenshilling on January 24 for “a camp night of cabaret and much needed laughs with one of drag race UK’s brightest contestants”.
Image: Alyssa Van Delle
Just four days later, on January 28, Sederginne from RuPaul’s Drag Race Holland will make her UK debut. Both shows will be in socially distanced and Covid-safe.
“I’m excited to be able to bring back live drag shows after being away from the Bristol stage for so long due to the restrictions and the pandemic,” Alyssa says.
“This is going to be a great year, with the fantastic news of the vaccinations already underway I have great plans to bring some fab lineups and events to the city in 2021. We’ve managed to get through it as a community.”
Main photo: Alyssa Van Delle
Read more: Drag goes online in new panel show
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