Beyond the Glittered Curtain; A Drag Show with a Difference at Adelaide Fringe Festival

After almost a decade of performing at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and presenting shows for half of that, Kristina Crème (now known as Kristina International) of Crème de la Crème Productions is determined to unveil a show with a difference, Beyond the Glittered Curtain.

It was through her Fringe Festival involvement that Kristina was acquainted with Jennifer Kingwell, renowned cabaret songstress and producer of The Glitter and Doom Salon variety evenings. In a matter of months, with savings from working in a hair salon by day, Kristina was off to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to perform at the Glitter and Doom Salon's European debut!

Taking her art to the largest arts festival in the world is something Kristina is incredibly proud of. She is one of only a small handful of Australian drag queens who have done so. Performing with incredible gusto Kristina was well received by the Edinburgh public and fellow artists. Whilst exploring the historic city, she eagerly took in the festival culture and the countless variety of shows; making a vow that she'd be back the following year.

Somewhat inspired by Kristina's Edinburgh Fringe cultural immersion, Beyond the Glittered Curtain will have an avant-garde, artistic approach to drag shows. Kristina has overseen the formation of a gifted and capable troupe of drag artistes. Miss Molly, whom Kristina has been working alongside for close to a decade, has been regarded for most of those years as a "Drag Artiste Extraordinaire" (The Advertiser). Lucy Flawless, whose performance experience has been greatly enriched though Crème de la Crème Productions and has helped to see her crowned Miss Drag SA 2014 and 2016. Tina Peechez, who brings immense energy to the stage every show and was the First Runner Up in the iconic Adelaide Battle of the Ballads competition, 2013. And introducing Sarsha Delite, who has made an impression on the drag scene through her great attention to detail and a solid work ethic.

The troupe has consistently come together to share their varied experiences within the industry and to discuss its cultural and philosophical aspects. Their varied dreams, difficulties faced, vices and virtues towards bettering themselves, the community and society as a whole have come into play when creating their individualised, storyline acts based on the intriguing, private world of drags queen together with their surrealistic fantasies. Symbolism that this world is more extravagant to what is generally seen on stage is extensive.

Kristina's business, Crème de la Crème Productions is well known for diva and showgirl cabarets, which have been touted as "redefining the definition of the word, Diva" (Rip It Up). She has created opportunities for many drag queens over the past half a decade to share their art with an untapped cabaret, theatre audience. Opportunities have extended to regional shows including one at in the small coastal town of Port Germein (Fringe 2015), this show proved to be very entertaining and successful. She has embraced the core Fringe principle of bringing life to underutilised performance spaces and presenting an art to alternative markets; such as giving renewed vigour to the iconic Bebe's Room, Marcellina Hindley Street with her regular Drag Cabaret.

Beyond the Glittered Curtain will take place in the underground feel, theatre space of Venue 63 on Light Square; in proximity to Adelaide's booming arts centre. Venue 63's owner and lighting and sound technician, Barbara Bailey is also very active in the gay and trans community, with the space becoming a hub for regular LGBT events. The cast are working closely with Barbara so that her technical expertise will be showcased in Beyond the Glittered Curtain, enhancing the otherworldly effect of the show.

Costuming will be overseen by Bronwen Bassi of Queen B Creations (Kristina's mother), who has been in the game since performing as a showgirl herself. Her creations have not only been sported by many of Adelaide's elite queens, but by the likes of World Champion artistic skaters and Olympic competitors, and she has specially created a piece for Kylie Minogue.

Beyond the Glittered Curtain will draw audiences into the underground lives of four drag queens as one by one they confront the complexities of the night and exude that certain je ne sais quoi that makes a drag queen's world so intriguing.

Preview show Wednesday 22nd February, all tickets $20. Ensuing showings Sunday 26th February and Wednesday 15th March, Full Price, $25; Concession, $22; Group 6+ (per person), $22; BankSA Customer, $22; Members Price, $22. All shows 60 minutes and 7pm starts.

Photo credit: Tay Bassi and - Artist Visual Content Creator

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