Watching Ru Paul's Drag Race is a drag rite of passage for many - whether it's the way you got into drag or something that solidifies your love of it, nobody can deny its enormity and frankly, amazingness. Season three was my personal favourite (controversial I know!) but it was the first one I watched of the UK seasons, so it holds a special place in my heart.
There was such a variety of performers in the cast that I was really excited to see what they'd do and how they'd entertain an audience for two hours. I knew the season three girls were going to bring a good show because they’re all so talented (I should know, I follow all their careers avidly on Instagram) but every single one of the cast exceeded my incredibly high expectations and it was a show-stopping night.
From the costumes to the campness to the fact the backing dancers did the whole two-hour set whilst barely breaking a sweat (shout out Kenny, Billy, Kyle and Myles) the whole production was a sight to behold.
Read more: Morrissey fans queue for nearly 24 HOURS overnight outside Apollo with sleeping bags
There was an introduction to remind everyone of who the queens of the season were - we had Anubis, Elektra Fence, Victoria Scone, Veronica Green, Charity Kase, River Medway, Choriza May, Scarlett Harlett, Vanity Milan, Kitty Scott-Claus, Ella Vaday and finally the season winner - Krystal Versace.
Krystal Versace kicked off the show with a quick bit of comedy, which I'm pleased to report was actually very amusing. After getting a bit of a reputation for herself as just being a looks queen, her personality definitely shone through during the show - it was almost as shiny as her wig.
Then, in seemingly no particular order the queens took it in turns to put on a show - and literally, nobody disappointed.
One queen who I was incredibly surprised at was Veronica Green - who also took part in the season two tour but she had to leave season two due to Covid, so was given the opportunity to return for another go.
To say she has a set of lungs on her is a gigantic understatement. She commanded the stage with renditions of Phantom of the Opera and Nessun Dorma and was truly outstanding. Ronnie, as she's affectionately known, really does know how to use the voice she's been blessed with.
River Medway also put on a great high-tempo performance, mixing songs from her idol Miley Cyrus - and you better believe 'the best of both worlds' was the opening song.
Charity Kase is undeniably strange yet so talented, and she couldn't help but bring creativity and gore to the show as she was 'resuscitated' live on stage, cut open, and you guessed it (!) - she had glittery organs falling out of her. Just what we came to know and love about Charity - the darkness and unusual but fun looks she can pull off.
A special mention, of course, has to go to one of my all-time favourite queens Ella Vaday. She managed to turn a glamorous look whilst lip-syncing to her own voice and she even fit in some hilarious references from the show including 'dirty, dirty, dirty' and 'mee-crow-wah-vay' - of course in reference to her incredible Snatch Game rendition of Nigella Lawson.
The queens were all incredible, looked unbelievable (like, can I borrow all your outfits?) and they brought everybody to their feet multiple times. As part of the finale, the cast relived their lip sync attempts and we were all reminded that the lip sync assassin truly was Vanity Milan - who had earlier pulled off a material girl remix that had everybody screaming at the top of their lungs.
When the queens were ready to head off stage after their encore I felt energised and I was beaming from ear to ear. If you've never been to a drag show, I implore you to go to one ASAP because you really won't regret it. The feel-good factor is second to none.
Oh, and it really made my night when the hilarious Choriza May leaned out of the window as I walked away to scream 'bye b******, thank you for coming!' You're very welcome Choriza, it was my pleasure.
Get the latest on Mancunian culture here.
READ NEXT:
