Meet the Many Royal Faces of Kings in Drag Kingdom

What do you get when you take 37 Drag Kings from the Kings of Joy community and give them a stage? As much fun as you can have with your clothes on…

Drag Kingdom is the largest ongoing Drag King show in the world. Held only twice a year in Sydney’s funky theatre, The Red Rattler, it brings together the Kings who have been through the Kings of Joy Gold Stars program for first-time Drag Kings. 

Get ready for a night that will leave you cheering, swooning and questioning your own gender and sexuality… (You’re welcome.)

Drag Kingdom

Thurs 14 Nov, 7 pm

The Red Rattler, Marrickville

Tickets are selling fast - grab yours here

Kings of Joy is an empowering program designed for emerging Drag Kings to explore gender, sexuality, and performance. Led by The King Coach, Danica Lani, participants develop their Drag King personas through structured training and performance opportunities. 

Kings of Joy offers a range of programs, from the Gold Stars for first-time Drag Kings to the All Stars crew for those looking to refine their skills and perform regularly. With core values of anti-racism, non-toxic masculinity, and gender diversity, Kings of Joy fosters an inclusive environment where people can be themselves. This program enriches the lives of its Kings while contributing to the vibrancy and empowerment of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the Kings of Joy? Some of them are content having ticked ‘Be a Drag King’ off their bucket list. Some want to continue - but not without their boi band crew. And some of them are hooked and have become well-loved, household names in the Australian Drag King scene.

Let’s meet the many faces of the Kings of Joy!

The King Coach

That’s me! Danica Lani aka Dario di Bello est. 2011. I’m also known as Daddy Joy and the Mother of Drag Kings. I’ve coached, choreographed and mentored 125 first-time Drag Kings through Kings of Joy since December 2020.

My business exists to serve the LGBTQIA+ community and to empower us to break free from constraints around gender, sexuality and self-expression so that we can be 100% at home in our own skin.

Your Host for the evening…

Introducing…

Chase Cocks

Chase Cocks has been in it from the beginning and is the reason we are all here. By day, they are true to their name. By night, Chris McAllister aka Chase Cocks is the founder of Queers of Joy which houses the Kings of Joy Gold Stars, for first-time Drag Kings.

What they have to say about Kings of Joy:

“Danica is so supportive and knowledgeable. She covers so much and you don’t realise how much you are growing until you get to the end and you’re transformed in confidence and self-expression!”

Kings of Joy groups

MACHO

Our newest Kings of Joy, fresh from their debut performance at Queers of Joy only 2 weeks ago.

A group of Twinks and a group of Butches get together to explore masculinities. That’s right - plural. Things get interesting once they switch.

L to R: Jacques Bondage 0069, Dandy Leon, Himboros, Vault Whimsey, Jack, Kel Supreez, Max Thrust, and Danny Diamond

Dynamite

More famous than the original BTS, these are the Boys That Slay!

L to R: Tea Boi, Jim Junkie, Kevin Well Hung, Chad Pole, Chuck Schmuzha, Jackson Bollocks

Jalebi Baby

A group of friends interrupts a card game to discover the true meaning of Jalebi - as used by Indian queer women to other queer women. Suddenly, their friends look edible.

“Jalebi is a dessert from countries in South Asia. And in the queer community it's really special, because jalebi is a term that queer women used to describe and identify themselves as. So queer women call themselves as jalebi and gay men call themselves as ladoos.” Sneha aka Aashiq Singh

L to R: Kevin Well Hung, Craig Beats, Dommy D, Fine China, Dusty Evans

Blinding Lights

It’s a restless night, you can’t sleep so you go for a night walk. While blindfolded, you finally find another warm body to give you comfort.

L to R: Rex McCooch, Jackson Apples, Mr Jones, Earl Gaye, Rainbowgan, Mr Thomas, Frank Lee Madir

Bye Bye Bye

Looking for heartbreaking boyband vibes? Get ready for these handsome Kings to steal the stage and your hearts. Join them on a gender journey from Girlz to Men as they say Bye, Bye, Bye to the past and step into a bright future.

L to R: Tea Boi, Max’d Out, Bear Back, Cherry Packer, Chase Cocks, Fine China, Jim Junkie

The Kings of Joy All-Stars

Girls & Boys

How much do gays love a holiday? Join the gang on a Gay Cruise - will the Captain go overboard?

L to R: Hunk O' Spunk, Chase Cocks, Dustin Le Rugrat, Randy Rootrat, Bad Boy Cameo

Don’t Forget The T

It’s time we took a stand to uplift the T in LGBT! Transphobic behaviour is not welcome here. We’re Queer it’s Undeniable, Sexy and Unstoppable.

L to R: Kel Supreez, Max Thrust, Dildo Baggins, Housolad Inner West, Maggot Banks

Our Kings of Joy performing solo…

Dustin Le Rugrat

Dustin has long been an All-Star, appearing in all 6 seasons of the All-Star performances. But this is his debut solo routine -give it up for Dustin! He’s going to show us that the kids just wanna rock.

“Great experience. Love the confidence you build with other kings and getting to have fun as your other persona.”

Dustin le Rugrat

Dusty Evans 

This handsome lad stumbles into his local with a story to tell his mates and finds the woman of his dreams…

“Kings of Joy has been incredible. I've loved every part of it. I've met some really awesome new people in the group and yourself, The King Coach. I've had a lot of fun with it.”

Dusty Evans

Frank Lee Madir

Frankly my dear, you don't want to miss this King of Joy in a solo about a man and his radical re-visioning of a better world. He wants more than equality, more than justice. In fact, he wants it all.

“Kings of Joy has been incredible. I was here 6 weeks ago and saw other incredible people up here. And I thought, oh wow, I really haven't been exploring my gender for a while. I've been living this whole life. And why? Why am I doing that? 

So here I am. And it's really special. Not only are you putting together something with other great people - a dance and a persona but there's a lot of thoughts involved. *Gestures to body*

I'm probably one and a half times the size and the squish of when I last was really involved in performance and queer stuff and it makes a difference to some (people). And I thought it didn't make a difference to me but it makes a different difference. And there are things to reclaim and there are things to sort out. [Cheers from the audience] 

It's wonderful. I feel really comfortable up here in front of you. And I think I will continue to feel comfortable back in life again.”

- Frank Lee Madir, onstage Queers of Joy 2nd birthday

Bad Boy Cameo

Bad Boy Cameo is back for another audition! Will he get the bit part? We don’t know, but watch him giving his all in his bravest work yet - a rendition of the Hero’s Journey through Footloose…

“End of March, I was sitting on the Gold Coast beach and I declared two things. That I wanted to find my queer community and I wanted to be a Drag King. I came back to Sydney and fuck me - Kings of Joy came into my Insta feed and I just couldn't believe it. it's been the most incredible support - I've got my best bros for life. If you ever have any desire to explore your masc, and to find awesome people in your life, sign up to Kings of Joy. Thank you. It saved my life.”

- Bad Boy Cameo

Hunk O’ Spunk

This man is in a true dilemma - only 24 hours from his sweetheart, he is swept off his feet by another…

Mr. Jones

The debut solo we’ve all been on the edge of our seats for… Mr Jones is crawling out onto the stage from rock bottom to a surprising shift—a glimpse of power and resilience emerging through the cracks. Set to a haunting soundtrack, stay tuned for an unforgettable transformation on stage.

“From the first Kings of Joy meeting, I felt so so held, supported and joyful about exploring my drag/masc side. So much fun. 

My crew were the sweetest, kindest, most supportive bunch and I did not want to let them down. I had life challenges and had my doubts I would be good enough, fit enough, just enough. What a lot of bollocks goes on in my mind. I was so enough. We all were. We were amazing! It’s been a highlight of my year. I feel connected to a part of myself I’ve not been in touch with in a long time. 

So, if this stretched beyond their limits, single mama, can get up on stage and show up, so can you. Danica is an absolute ray of light.”

- Mr. Jones

Special feature guests

Dick in a Box

End-of-year celebrations are nigh! Dario and Jim get ready to show off their masc wares… But what’s in the box?

Dario di Bello & Jim Junkie

And about Kings of Joy? Jim says, “It’s the best workout I’ve ever done.”

Come meet the many faces of Drag Kingdom on Thursday 14 November at The Red Rattler, Marrickville, Sydney, Australia. If cost is a barrier, contact me - no one turned away due to lack of funds. 10% of all proceeds go to our LGBT refugee friends fleeing Uganda due to persecution. All other proceeds go back into the Kings of Joy Pay It Forward program allowing future Kings to participate.

This night will blow your socks off. Don’t wait. Grab your ticket now.

Xx,

Danica

The King Coach

P.S. Wanna be a Drag King? Find out more about the Kings of Joy here.

P.P.S. Pay it forward for a future King to do the Kings of Joy Gold Star program: Click here.

Photo credit: 📸 Sarah Malone