Caleb Triscari

You’d be stumped to find a woman or non-binary person taking to the stage as a drag performer in a gay bar. To the average person, drag is a man dressing up as a woman and nothing much else. When discussing the role of women and non-binary performers in the drag scene, many argue the role of male performers dressing in traditionally feminine clothing is key to drag’s objective to break down gender barriers. Women in drag have been labelled “faux queens” or appropriators of gay culture. For this year's Melbourne Fringe, the conveniently-named actor and comedian Lou Wall (It’s Not Me, It’s Lou) has produced Lou Wall’s Drag Race, a satirical take on the popular program hosted by RuPaul. The show, co-produced by Wall and Jean Tong (Hungry Ghosts, Romeo is Not the Only Fruit), features a predominantly female and non-binary cast of performers. Most of the songs are composed by Wall and sound designer Sidney Millar, and feature the cast banding together to take down the forces of discrimination. In one number, a character defeats misogyny by taking on a drag performer known as Miss Annabelle Ogyny. Another number lists 100 dumb ways to die while in drag. For instance, tearing off 11 outfits when you only prepared for 10 (the 11th is your skin). Some classic numbers are also included in the production for long time drag fans. Speaking to Time Out, Wall says her production celebrates what is great about drag, without the competitive nature commonly seen on screen. “The reality show [R