and your host with the most (thongs) ZAYN PHALLIC!
KINGS OF COLOUR TO THE FRONT
This is the KOC Initiative: the UK’s only cabaret night dedicated to showcasing drag kings of colour.
Radically reclaiming cabaret with its king-tastic line-up consisting entirely of performers of colour, this is cabaret that degentrifies, decolonises and deconstructs the art of drag itself – all whilst putting on one hell of a show.
The KOC Initiative is curated by one of the UK’s most influential drag kings, Zayn Phallic. In 2017 he set out to create a night where kings of colour were prioritised, not tokenised, after growing tired of producers excusing all-white line-ups with the claim that ‘there just aren’t enough kings of colour to book’. Both with their undeniable talent and the sheer quantity of kings that have been featured on the KOC stage, The KOC Initiative shatters this myth with power, passion and positivity.
Radical, raunchy, silly, sensational – The KOC Initiative has been home to award-winning and critically acclaimed performers, who have been featured in both national and international media and shared stages with stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race. As the KOC Initiative they have wowed and delighted audiences at prides, festivals and sold-out shows across the country. Whether it be showstopping lipsync, comedy, dance, burlesque, circus, song or even a magic trick or two – you’re guaranteed to see some of the UK’s hottest drag acts on the KOC stage.
Expect a wild ride of laughs, tears, politics and empowerment in a joyful celebration of drag kings of colour at one of the country’s queerest, wittiest and most politically on point drag shows.
Dedicated to enabling queer people of colour to have access to drag that actually represents them, at least 10% of the tickets for each show are available as Pay What You Can for qpoc who would find the ticket prices financially inaccessible. These tickets are in part funded by donations from audience members which ensures that KOC performers are still paid what they deserve (so yes, you can come to the KOC Initiative for free if you need to.)*
The KOC Initiative is a queer-phobia-, racism-, misogyny- and harassment-free zone both on and off stage. Please see our safer spaces policy and our access guidelines for more information of what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you in order to keep this a spectacular, inclusive and joyful space for all involved.
A gleeful antidote to the erasure, diminishing and tokenisation of art by bodies of colour in drag, this ground-breaking initiative is an essential and celebratory night of king cabaret of the highest calibre.
Be a part of the Initiative: Book your tickets now.
Wish the KOC Initiative would come to a city near you? Get in touch:
https://www.facebook.com/kocinitiative/
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Unfortunately The Glory is not wheelchair accessible. The show will take place in the basement down approximately 12 steps in a corridor with low visibility. There is adequate seating in the performance space. Toilets are located on the ground floor up a further 3-4 steps.
If you have further queries about access at The Glory, you can get in touch here:
For further information about our access at the KOC Initiative, please see our Accessibility guidelines.
*COME TO KOC FOR FREE
PWYC tickets are available for qpoc for whom the entry price would be a barrier from Outsavvy. The minimum price Outsavvy accepts is £1 to which it adds a 50p fee. If you needed a totally free ticket, just let staff know at the door and your £1.50 will be refunded. :)