Just A Boy In A Dress

Manuao TeAotonga’s cabaret Just a Boy in A Dress played a two-night, sell-out season at the Old Mill Theatre, in South Perth. Billed as “A cabaret about a life of gender exploration, sexuality and sequins”, it tells of this popular performer’s life from his premature birth in a small town in New Zealand, through growing up in Bunbury, realising his sexuality and finding love, all while performing.

An evolution of Manuao’s Bunbury Fringe performance, Dragged Back to Bunbury, it featured a plethora of fabulous songs including True Colours, a brilliant parody song about expectations and dreams, and of course a tribute to one of Manuao’s best known roles - Lola from Kinky Boots. We were also treated to a death-defying li sync as Sally Bowles from cabaret and of course a succession of ever more impressive outfits and wigs.

Manuao is supported throughout by the gorgeously voiced Bec Daniels, who provides great songs that cover the costume changes, vocal back-up, and general assistance, including help with onstage costume changes and lovely banter. The pair also hosted a clever and funny audience participation segment, that was a tribute to Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

Heartfelt, raw, and sometimes very funny, Manuao’s journey makes for a wonderful evening that had the audience riding an emotional wave, clearly adoring this consummate entertainer and his honest and genuine bio-musical.

This is a touching and well-polished cabaret that deserves a bigger audience. I hope we see this, or another show from Manuao in the near future.

Kimberley Shaw