Above: one of several video content interludes during the show’s costume changes. Featured image: Joyce in magazine dress mode. Images from the audience: Paul Nolan.
We all need a bit of Maynge in our lives.
Not only for drag icon Joyce Maynge’s inimitable video content, her classic lip-syncing to welcome hits from past decades up to now (Queen of Hearts, River Deep, Mountain High, Gloria, Savage Garden’s Affirmation, Fast Car by Tracy Chapman and Love Story by Taylor Swift) or for her show that is jam-packed with stylistic transformations including costumes by Lewis Oswald.
This show’s fabulous and effective songlist aside, the icing on a joyous career 25th birthday cake is Joyce’s committment to community, charity and creativity. Her years of consistent presence on the Sydney drag scene, as presented in flashback or fine explanation during the show, are full of an inspiring generous and energetic spirit which we can all learn from.
This Mardi Gras show helps us reminisce alongside this still-in-demand stage queen on appearances in pubs and clubs, in Gay Games or Olympic Games ceremonies, as well as in the successful ‘Queen’ shows alongside Sydney drag greats.
Above: Joyce and custom ukelele stealing many hearts at the opening of the show – performing to Juice Newton’s ‘Queen of Hearts’ Image from the audience: Paul Nolan.
We learn of Joyce’s long time association with the Bobby Goldsmith charity, the Sydney Swans, with Mardi Gras as a parade entrant and in-demand float figurehead. We see her skill at quickly winning over a crowd and at audience participation. We love her use of the compact, atmospheric, below-street-level Substation space.
Her use of props, some super slick guitar work and the introduction of backdrop animation, footage plus feature costume-change/ empty-stage videos in fab edit by producer/tech Travis Keneally are all perfect Mardi Gras Festival fare and drag entertainment gold which the crowd I was in obviously loved.
This show delves into the making of Joyce’s character with inspo from the homewares and appliance retailer Joyce Mayne, covers content making on an apartment block rooftop for neighbours during lockdown, through the hectic love affair on and off hubby Murray’s buses, her conquering of Kyoto and Tokyo street fashion on film, up to personal sharing of how to survive a career and community’s ups and downs.
Above: Joyce performs ‘River Deep Mountain High’. Image from the audience: Paul Nolan.
The show-end Volkswagon chassis costumed number to the left-of-centre choice of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car a comedic and community care hit with genuine words of wisdom and encouragement on how to keep on driving, creating and steering contentment.
Another genius inclusion in the madder-cap mayhem and irrestible entertainment is the concise wishes and words of support aimed at the trans community’s global challenges, surrounding an emotional performance to Savage Garden’s brave, evergreen track Affirmation.
Above: Joyce Maynge performs ‘Fast Car’. Image from the audience: Paul Nolan.
Only a talented drag with still plenty of energy even after 25 years of a solid brand,committed to creativity, imagery and commentary could hold us so captivated. It was easy to be smiling from ear to ear throughout as Joyce Maynge delivered a subterranean show of genre-defying, clever kitsch and plenty of kind big-sister karma.
The sellout shows, singing, clapping cheering crowds and standing ovations following a joyous gold lamé frocked Joyce working it to Laura Branigan’s Gloria are well deserved. This show needs to tour, including to regional areas and deffo to the USA, sponsors willing. May we all be so present and convincing after a quarter of a decade of worthwhile, exhausting work.
