Beyond the white jumpsuit

Beyond the white jumpsuit

Elvis Herselvis

Wheatsheaf Hotel, Hobart,February 10

Reviewed by Rose Matthews

Three years ago Leigh Crow impersonated Elvis, on a dare, at a gay and lesbian nightclub in San Francisco. Although Crow was at first reluctant to do Elvis in drag, the response to a "drag king" ("drag queens" are more common at such venues) was so enthusiastic she has turned Elvis Herselvis into a full-time job.

Herselvis made her Australian debut at the Wheatsheaf Hotel before a capacity audience. Although she performed to backing tapes without her Rockabilly band the Straight White Males, she gave us a fabulous show.

Herselvis has this to say about the original Elvis: "When you think of Elvis, don't think of the man in the white jumpsuit; think of that dangerous boy who was crossing the race barrier, the sex barrier, and scaring all those people ... that's what he was all about."

Leigh Crow is active in the gay and lesbian movement in the United States and her alter ego regularly performs at AIDS benefits and to promote gay and lesbian pride.

Another highlight of the evening was the world debut of Hobart's own '60s "girl group", the Extremes, who were very entertaining.

Elvis Herselvis' week-long run at Kinsela's was a hit of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.

Elvis Herselvis' last appearances in Australia will be on Tuesday, March 9, 7.30 p.m., at Macquarie University, and on Thursday, March 11, at the University of New England, Armidale.

From GLW issue 89