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Issue one: Contents Peaches
Christ |
The film charts their rise and fall from 1969 - 72. It’s living proof that, when left to their own devices, the unemployed and supposedly unemployable can produce works of great wonder. Fronted by their founder Hibiscus, the flamboyant ensemble of hippies would take over the Palace Theatre and deck themselves in glitter and drag to perform classics such as Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma and, later, Journey to the Centre of Uranus. The chorus line grew steadily and productions became more and more lavish, with the audience as much a part of the show as the performers. The more famous members include disco diva Sylvester who got his first taste of fame with The Cockettes, and Divine who would fly out especially to take part in the shows. After reaching their peak in SF, the troupe took off for the bright lights of New York City where they were greeted with muted applause. Misunderstood by the media and the high-brow, they found a cult audience but then returned to SF to put on further shows before bowing out in the autumn of '72. The film combines vintage footage with clips of the survivors sharing their memories of wild party nights and shambolic behaviour. There are also soundbites from John Waters and Warhol superstar, Holly Woodlawn. A rare insight into the underground scene that inspired the glitter rock era and many of today's drag stars. |
I'm a huge fan of the bearded drag queen and nowhere are there more
to be found than in this profile of legendary San Franciscan theatre
troupe, The Cockettes.