Manchester in Drag

Manchester has forever been a home for drag. During World War Two, US Veterans enjoyed the many drag shows at The Union on Canal Street.  

The city’s love affair also goes back to the Victorian period. In 1880, 38 men were arrested at a ‘fancy dress ball’ in the working-class area of Hulme. Leading up to the raid of the temperance hall, police worked undercover to keep watch for hours. Attendees were mainly men and as written in the Manchester Times, ‘most were dressed in female attire’.  

At around 9pm cabs started to arrive, and people had to whisper the password “Sister” to gain entry. Once in, they partied the night away to vulgar dances such as the ‘Can Can’, which was played on the harmonium by a blind organist, to ensure privacy.  

Now, drag is everywhere in the mainstream media and across the city with many shows and drag brunches, even in traditionally “straight spaces”. 

There are many sublime diverse drag artists working today in Manchester including Liquorice Black, Lill, Violet Blonde, Banksie, Anna Phylactic, Lady Bushra, Monopoly Phonic, Juno Birch, Eva Serration, Val Qaeda, Barb, Sminty Drop, and drag king The Vicar’s Daughter. 

Manchester queen Cheddar Gorgeous even appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK dressed as the Manchester Bee.