'Superqueens': India's first drag musical dives deep into identity, self-expression, and visibility—with flair
India's first drag musical 'Superqueens' is set to make Delhi’s cultural scene fabulous this July. The 90-minute celebration of drag, identity, and self-expression is India’s first ever drag-centred musical show, and goes live at a prominent jazz bar on Thursday.
Personal stories, dance, and music are all incorporated into the cabaret-style entertainment, challenging common myths about drag culture, while also underlining queer identity and visibility.
For Arjun Sagar Gupta, founder of 'The Piano Man' which is hosting the show, it was never about spectacle alone.
“All art forms are expressions of creativity,” he said. “It’s not about narrowly bottling things into categories. These are incredible artists, ready to share their art, and our job as a venue is to give them the space, support, and infrastructure to do that.”
'Superqueens' mixes music and movement with an interesting and charming peep into the lives of five well-known drag artists: Hash Brownie, Betta Naan Stop, Sickk, Whacker Cracker, and Lush Monsoon.
The production blends personal stories with cheerful performances, and is set to a mix of Bollywood, club, and pop songs, showcasing the diversity of voices within India's drag community.
However, there is a deeper tale of teamwork and trust behind the shine and sequins. Written and directed by Vivek Mansukhani and choreographed by Shohini Dutta and Udisha Uniyal, the show is based on the performers' real-life experiences. A creative choice that gives the production the truth and emotional depth is the fact that each queen portrays their actual drag persona.
“The five drag queens—their stories, their energy—that’s what inspired this show,” Mansukhani explained. “Most of them are used to club gigs, not structured theatre performances. Helping them shape a full-length musical based on their own journeys has been deeply moving.”
Teya, one of the artists who plays Sickk, describes her drag persona: “Sickk is just me turned up to the max. She says what I can’t always say. She expresses what I can’t always express. When I perform in drag, I channel all of that through her.”
Another of the cast members adds: “Superqueens isn’t just theatre: it’s personal. The stories are drawn from our lives, with a good dash of fiction to keep it interesting. It’s about our struggles, our joy, and the magic of being who we are.”
'Superqueens' provides a glance into a cultural space that is gradually expanding into new forms of performance, narrative, and representation on the Indian stage in a country where drag continues to gain greater visibility.
'Superqueens' premieres tomorrow at The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre - Malviya Nagar, Delhi, with a repeat performance on Sunday. Tickets are available on the District app.
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