WHAT: Monsters of Drag
WHEN: 2nd September, 2023
WHERE: Troxy (490 Commercial Rd, London E1 0HX)
OUR RATING: Do It!
From the smouldering remains of the canceled UK excursion of the Dragula Titans tour emerged “Monsters of Drag” – an electrifying night of captivating performances by drag artists who draw inspiration from the realms of glamour, decadence, and the macabre.
Monsters of Drag first entered the Storefront City calendar of events when it was meant to be the London leg of the Dragula Titans tour. We attended the last season tour at Clapham Grand after being avid fans of the television show, so have been waiting all year for the next iteration.
As revealed during their Creatures of the Night podcast, the Dragula hosts found themselves compelled to withdraw from the tour due to ongoing commitments related to a separate filming project. Even so, rather than succumbing to cancellation, a collective of gifted performers united to conjure forth another enchanting evening of drag entertainment in their absence.
The lineup of performers didn’t quite match our initial expectations, as series finalists Victoria Elizabeth Black and HoSo Terra Toma were absent. Instead, a fusion of talent from different drag series, including Drag SOS and RuPaul’s Drag Race, joined forces with a few of the Dragula Titans, all presided over by the iconic host, Biqtch Puddin’.
Joe Black was a welcome addition to the mix, as they sang two live performances, with energetic numbers welcoming the audience to take part. They brought a different and definitely welcome energy to the whole night and we were so fortunate to finally see them perform live.
Crystal, another RuPaul alumnus, added punk, filth, and glamour to the night with an egregious amount of hot dogs and metal grinding on their groin!
The highlight of the evening’s cabaret belonged to Liquorice Black, whose electrifying Bride of Frankenstein performance took us on a mesmerising journey from a sorrowful widow to a vivacious creature of the night, hunting for her next prey with irresistible allure.
Yet the knockouts of the night were the two titans themselves, Koko Caine and Dahli. Koco Caine slayed with their sultry darkness – glamorous filth personified. They even came down to dance in the aisles with the audience, the essence of a performer who knows how to work a crowd.
Finally there was Dahli– with two performances that still haunt our dreams. We still remember their clown act from their last tour- they are a memorable performer. Their Nosferatu number was incredible but their unholy priest was the standout of our night, and still gives us shivers!
Have a look on our upcoming Instagram posts to see a small video of this number (including some of the others). We actually stopped breathing in true terror and awe- we came for the horror and this was the moment the show delivered it.
Final Thoughts: In the grand scheme of things, although we didn’t quite get the full Dragula experience we had hoped for, we had a night to remember, marked by unforgettable performances. In particular, a certain nightmarish priest left an indelible mark on our memories. Be sure to follow all these incredible performers on their social media platforms for a sneak peek into their extraordinary talent. For our fellow UK audiences, the prospect of catching them live might be a rare one, but if you ever spot them gracing London’s stage once more, don’t hesitate – seize the opportunity to witness their magic firsthand!
P.S.: You don’t need to twiddle your thumbs until next year for a dose of monstrous drag delight. Stay tuned with The Coven and Midnight Channel, along with our before reviewed Loco Cabaret, for some glamorous performances that grace Londontown every few months.
