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"It was pleasure just to be able to compete". Typical beauty queen
answer - but when it comes to drag queens, it's a whole different story. It's more like "I hope that bitch falls in those heels". But with the
Alternative Miss Limerick, it was a refreshing change from queens trying to trip you on the way up to the stage or slipping arsenic into
your lipstick. I was lucky enough to share the stage with 8 friendly, easy going people who were there to work the spotlight and have an
great time.
The evening started with rehearsals inside the ballroom of the newly remodelled Glentworth Hotel in the centre of Limerick. The talent
consisted of 2 queens from Cork, 3 from Galway, 3 from Limerick and myself - the lone Dublin queen. One girl who caught my eye
immediately was the flawless Leslie B Ann from Limerick. The queen had style and was truly a good person.
We all lined up and took turns working the runway whilst the stage production people were trying to piece together last minute details
for the pageant. The whole rehearsal was only about 15 minutes or so....which was a good thing, because I was wrecked from the
night before. After taking a quick nap and a long shower, it was time to head back downstairs to get made up for the pageant. Powder,
powder, paint, paint, knickers, knickers - you know the drill. Nerves
were running high as this sea of flailing arms and multi-coloured fabric were engulfing the dressing room.
Uncharacteristically, especially when referring to drag pageants, the show started right on time at 9:00. Had a quick peek outside of the
dressing room doors and the place was beyond packed. The running order for the competition was posted on the wall and I turned out to
be first. No worries though, somebody has to be first. The announcer gave us the cue to come out in our group of four, with me in the lead.
One quick swoop around the catwalk in my wedding dress and a quicker dash to the dressing room for the bathing suit round. The production
staff had advised wearing our swimwear under our daywear because of
time restrictions for changing clothes. So, whilst the second group of queens were onstage, it was a mad rush in the back to squeeze
into those bikinis. I opted for a one piece suit with sunglasses and a children's wading pool in me hand. My lovely mate, Leslie B Ann,
went for this little "Barbie Fun" bikini that was so small I could just cry. If I were only that skinny. Alas, after repeated diet programs and
countless hours at the vomitorium, I stick to clothes that are a little less
revealing. Anyways, I was all ready and changed - waiting for the
rest of the group to squeeze into their suits. Nicole, the stage manager,
was running around trying to fasten tops and button bottoms so that everyone was out on time. After a bit more time, everyone was ready
to show some skin on the runway. Again, it was me who was going first and I tried my best to make the show as entertaining as possible.
I made it about halfway down the runway and did a belly flop right into the kiddie pool that I brought with me.
The crowd enjoyed it, but seemed
to be more into the local acts that were onstage. Understandably enough,
since this was my first time to Limerick and a brand new face to these people. Another quick turn, smile, then
rush backstage for the evening wear change.
We had a cool 15 minutes to get ready for the evening wear/talent round. This left us plenty of time to waffle about the excitement and
nerves that go into competing in a pageant like this. It also left me plenty of time to lose my shoe, two minutes before I had to go out
on stage! Luckily Nicole, who was about to strangle me, found it right at the last minute. The host gave me the cue to come out and
chat with him for a little while. I'm quite comfortable on the mike and had the urgent need to grab it away from him and start babbling away.
If it would have Dublin, I would've had no problem doing that - but this
was a different town with a different crowd, so I thought I'd be a good
girl. He was mostly asking me one word answer questions which
were a bit difficult to elaborate on. I figured it would be best to cut the conversation short and continue with the job at hand.
I must say that the Limerick audience was truly one of the best crowds that I've ever performed in front of. You can give them everything that
you've got and they'll give back to you, ten fold.
The number I performed was one of my favourite ones to do in Dublin. It's a mixture of about 20 different recordings made into a sort of "song".
The crowd were going completely mad as I mimed my way up, down and all over the stage. It all ended around four minutes later with
a brilliant round of applause and a standing ovation. I confidently and exhaustedly walked off of the stage and into the back. Unfortunately,
I wasn't able to catch Leslie's performance, but I heard she did a cartwheel in high heels at the end of her song.
Immediately after leaving the stage, I made my way to the wine table and started getting locked. Drinking on an empty stomach is so
underrated, it saves you time and money. The production crew had purchased around fifteen bottle of wine before the show, God bless
them all. I can remember hearing Madonna's "Music" and a few other dance tracks being performed whilst I was hitting the bottle
and chatting with Leslie. We managed to make it upstairs to see a crowd favourite, Galway queen - Titney Queers. There was a large
Galway presence at the club and they absolutely loved her. A good portion of crowd was up on their feet dancing and singing along with
Titney as she worked her magic. After Titney triumphantly left the stage, I decided to triumphantly grab another bottle of wine and keep
drinking.
The last performer of the night, Miss Lillet Shannon Banks, also had something up her sleeve that would put in the ranks to clench the title.
Miss Lillet is from Limerick and knew what her crowd wanted. Like a true queen, she snatched the microphone from the presenter and
started working the crowd into a frenzy. She was wearing an ultra-hot, blue dress that made her look like a princess. She stood on the
stage like she owned it, with four men in tuxedos behind her - backing their queen. After she put the microphone down, she launched into
a tune from Riverdance and the layered, bottom of the dress was pulled off to reveal a baby blue skirt. Miss Lillet started jigging around like
crazy and bringing the crowd into full form. Then, Miss Lillet's wig fell off and she finished the last two minutes of the number with
her regular hair....jumping, kicking and waving her way to victory.
Whilst the judges were counting their votes, the crowd was wowed with the talent of the current Miss Alternative Ireland - Siobhan Broadway.
Siobhan performed two numbers which were excellent and just a pleasant way to round off a wild evening of drag.
Tensions were high as Siobhan announced the first runner up and the winner. It was pretty clear to me who was going to win. Titney
Queers was the runner up and Miss Lillet Shannon Banks was the all out champion of the night. I was quite happy with the results and
I'm really glad a local girl won the competition. Most of the prizes were redeemable at Limerick businesses and it's more appropriate
to have a Miss Alternative Limerick who is actually from Limerick or has been to Limerick more than once. So, I'm not bitter. No, really.
But, let all eyes be set on Renttecca the Alternative Miss Ireland in March. They'll be some stiff competition. But, as my boyfriend says
"honey, you're much stiffer". I don't know what that means, but I just go along with it.
The management and organisation staff were excellent and I honestly had a brilliant time performing there. The queens were great to be
around and were full of personality and gratitude. If I had the chance to compete next year, I'd take the invitation with gratitude.
Article by Renttecca
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