News / queer cabaret
Grounded Circus bring drag royalty to late night queer cabaret
Bristol-based Grounded Circus have been producing and curating circus-theatre shows in the city for five years, most recently selling out a five-night run of The Wasteground Circus in summer 2022.
They are back for 2023, this time bringing a new, late night queer cabaret night to The Old Market Assembly on February 17.
Hosted by one of the favourites of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (BBC Three) Season 4, Copper Topp, HOUSEPARTY: Queer as F*ck Cabaret promises to be an electric night of high-end circus, drag and burlesque from some of the most electric LGBTQIA+ artists working in the UK today.
is needed now More than ever
Copper Topp
Liquorice Black
Manchester queen Liquorice Black (Drag SOS, Channel 4), renowned for her monochromatic looks, will also be starring.
From London, contortionist and winner of ManUp 2021 – Frank the Drag King is featuring, and Bristol’s self-styled patriarch of the House of Mannington, Manly Mannington, also appears.
Frank the Drag King
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnZNy4AswOf/
The night will be soundtracked by resident DJ at Crotch Bristol and the House of Savalon, K-Rush. And alongside its drag stars, the cabaret boasts a wealth of circus talent. Fresh from touring with Circus Vegas, bull-whip cracking Miz Meg joins the party.
Natasha Moonshine will be bringing her hula hoop act, and Rowen K – aka Rowen Kimpton, co-founder of Grounded Circus – will be showcasing his finely honed own boylesque handstand act, fresh from a 5* Edinburgh Fringe run.
Natasha Moonshine
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1XJHMBGFE/?hl=en
Kimpton believes that in the Old Market Assembly, Grounded have found the perfect venue for the event, nestled in the heart of Bristol’s historic gay village, which remains home to a hub of LGBTQI+ safe spaces.
“Old Market Assembly, previously known as Flamingos, was one of Bristol’s most popular gay bars,” he reflects. “Its history and stunning architecture make it a wonderfully unique space for circus.”
House Party Queer as Fuck Cabaret – photo: Grounded Circus
“We created The Wasteground Circus in collaboration with Two Women and Invisible Circus, and it received great support across Bristol.
“This is great for the future of Grounded, as we go forward to make more cross-form circus theatre and cabaret shows in 2023. House Party is sure to be starting the year with a bang.”
Grounded Circus HOUSE PARTY: Queer as F*ck Cabaret (18+) is at The Old Market Assembly on February 17 at 10pm. The event is followed by a DJ set. Tickets are available at www.headfirstbristol.co.uk. Follow @groundedcircus on Insta.
All photos: courtesy of Grounded Circus
Read more: Cross-form circus-theatre piece ‘The Wasteground Circus’ makes Bristol debut
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