QWU

NEWS ITEMS

Dec 2009 - Calling for cast and crew to join the 6 Nov 2010 Auckland show
Contact the director now if you would like to be involved - no expereince required

Dec 2009 - QWU breaks it's own world record
Guinness World Record confirmed
Advise was received today that QWU 2009 broke it's own Guinness World Record
Quote: The largest drag queen stage show is the QWU 2009 which consisted of 34 men performing
at the Opera House, Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday 27 June 2009

But watch this space as we think we broke our own world record in Wellington on 27 June 2009
when 35 men performed on stage - subject to confirmation.
04 July 2009 - Guinness World Record confirmed
Advise was received today that QWU 2008 set a new Guinness World Record
Quote:
The largest drag queen stage show is the QWU 2008 which consisted of 33 men performing at the
ASB Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, on 15 November 2008

But watch this space as we think we broke our own world record in Wellington on 27 June 2009
when 35 men performed on stage - subject to confirmation.

01 July 2009 - Collette Renee Fergus, Contemporary Artist
How exciting to have a collection of paintings created from QWU. Be sure to visit her full
collection.
http://www.thecollection.co.nz/
Contemporary and abstract paintings by New Zealand Artist Collette Renee Fergus. Also the home
of the infamous fun loving Boozehag character Chardonnay Minx.

30 June 2009 - Congratulations and Thank You
QWU would like to say a huge thank you to our many sponsors, cast and crew and our audience
for supporting this year's Queen of the Whole Universe, our first production in Wellington. Without
this support it would be impossible to bring to the stage what has become a highlight on the
'queer' event calendar.

A night of sequin, glitter, high camp humour, mosaic colours and dubious fashion saw the crowning
of Miss OZ, Barbi Prawne as the overall winner, closely followed by Miss Japan, Kitty Tammy-Gucci
placed 2nd. Miss England, Annette Curtain was awarded 3rd place. Act two finalists also included
Miss Teen Black America, Little Afro Bush and Miss Canada, Wantsa Pocha. Head judge, Wellington
Mayor Kerry Prendergast said it was a very difficult decision as the standard of all five act two
girls was very high.

Special awards this year were presented to:
Miss Zambia, Victoria Falls (Miss Durex Pleasuremax 2009 - best headgear), Miss Venus, Venerea
(Miss MSD Beauty with a Purpose 2009) and Leather Man 8, James Bondage aka Nemo (Mr Butch
2009).

We look forward to seeing you next year at the 7th anniversary of Queen of the Whole Universe to
be held at THE EDGE on Saturday 06 November 2010 followed by our 2nd performance in
Wellington on Sat 16 Mar 2011 as part of the OutGames Cultural Festival.

Jonathan Smith
Creative Director

QWU Exhibition, St James Theatre - midday Mon 22 Jun - midday Sun 28 Jun
A retrospective of QWU since it's inception in 2004. Behind the scenes photos, artwork, garments,
headgear and film footage.
A special feature this year is a series of paintings by contemporary artist Collette. The series
entitled 'Miss' demonstrates the colours and fun of drag. All 8 pices of art are for sale.
For more info refer to: http://www.thecollection.co.nz/35154/news/news.html

Novotel Hotel & Ibis Hotel offer special rates for guests attending QWU in Wellington

QWU Wellington audience members requiring accommodation on Fri 26 or Sat 27 June are able to
take advantage of a special package rate at either the Novotel Hotel or Ibis Hotel.

Ibis Wellington - 153 Featherston St. 15min to St James Theatre.
200 room hotel, 3.5star. One consistent standard room type.
Recently refurbished Vivant Bistro and Bar.
Room at $100 inc GST per room per night for single or twin share.
2pm late check out on Sunday!
For Full Cooked Breakfast please add $15.00 per person per nigh
t if added to the room rate.(usually $20.00).
Please present your QWU ticket on check-in at the Ibis Hotel
For reservations contact Sharyna or James: 04 496 1883 email: h3049-re01@accor.com
Quote: Queen for the Weekend Rate
Subject to availability from 26June - 28June 2009.

Novotel Wellington - 345 The Terrace.
15min leisurely walk to St James Theatre. 139 room hotel,
4star, Enviro Gold and Green Globe Silver accreditation.
Has direct lift access to Lambton Quay for quests, car parking,
and complimentary apple Mac Stations with internet in the lobby,
access to health spa and gym with indoor heated pool,
fantastic views of the city.
Room at $ 130.00 inc GST per room per night, single or share twin.
2pm late checkout on Sunday!
For Full Cooked Breakfast please add $15.00 per person per night if added to the room rate
(usually $23.00). Please present your QWU ticket on check-in at the Novotel Hotel
For reservations contact Nicole: 04 495 1086 email: h3276-re01@accor.com
Quote: Queen for the Weekend rate

Tickets Now On Sale for our first show in the capital
Tickets are now on sale for our first show in the capital. Wellington will host Queen of the Whole
Universe on Saturday 27 June 2009 at the St James Theatre.
"We are expecting more 'girls' and we might even break our own Guinness World Record for the
'Largest Drag Queen Stage Show'" says Creative Director, Jonathan Smith.

The basis of the annual show, now in its 6th year, is a parody on a beauty pageant. Men and
woman, young and old, gay and straight, all dressed as 'girls', competing for the same crown, the
title of Queen of the Whole Universe. Some people think the show is rigged, who knows, who can
tell, who cares, as long as we are entertained. Where else can you go for an evening's
entertainment on such a scale, plus an after event party thrown in for the same price.

QWU Exhibition, Jimmy's Cafe, St James Theatre, Wellington, 22-27 June 2009, free entry.

Queens and Record Breakers of the Whole Universe!

The Guinness World Record for "Largest Drag Queen Stage Show" was broken on Saturday evening,
over $45,000 was raised for HIV charities and Queen of the Whole Universe 2008 was crowned!

The Guinness World record stood at 25 drag queens on a stage in New York in 2005, on Saturday
night in Auckland QWU smashed the record with 31 men dressed in drag! *

Miss Transylvania, Nora Vein (Steve Lawrence) was officially crowned as Queen of the Whole
Universe 2008. Head judge, Ali Mau described the decision "as extremely difficult" as the standard
of the six finalists was so high. Miss Japan, Kitty Tammy-Gucci (Andrae Fassler) finished in second
pace while Ms. Barby Prawne (Owen Anderson) attained third place for Australia.

Miss Garden of Eden, Eve O'llusion (Christian Rangi) picked up Miss Durex Personality, Mr MSD
Personality was awarded to Terry Towelling (Ronnie Nrew) while Miss Easter Island's, Rosa
Res-Erection (Alister Hartstonge) and her incredible headgear picked up the Miss Team Maddison
Duplication award.

The real winners of the night were the three charities who benefit from the money raised; New
Zealand AIDS Foundation, Positive Women and Body Positive...

The Queen of the Whole Universe organizers extend their many thanks to the cast and crew for
their support, energy, dedication and commitment to the show, to the staff at THE EDGE for their
role in helping grow the event even more this year.

A special thanks is extended to the many sponsors involved; without their financial and
product/services support we would not be able to create this show and raise the much needed
funds.

Queen of the Whole Universe winners in full:

Queen of the Whole Universe 2008: Miss Transylvania - Nora Vein (Steve Lawrence)
Runner up: Miss Japan - Kitty Tammy-Gucci (Andrae Fassler)
Second runner up: Miss Australia - Ms. Barby Prawne (Owen Anderson)
(Finalists included Miss Canada, Miss England and Miss Italy)
Miss Durex Personality: Miss Garden of Eden - Eve O'llusion (Christian Rangi)
Mr MSD Personality: QWU Boy #1 - Terry Towelling (Ronnie New)
Miss Team Maddison Duplication: Miss Easter Island - Rosa Res-Erection (Alister Hartstonge)

QUEEN OF THE WHOLE UNVIERSE is going on the road to WELLINGTON!
Saturday 27th June 2009, 8pm Tickets on sale soon

Returning to Auckland Aotea Centre - Saturday 27 November 2010

Wellington - March 2011 - OutGames - venue and date to be confirmed

*The Guinness world record is subject to adjudication by the Guinness World Records in London.

14 July 2008 - QWU featured in American Out Traveler Magazine
Exciting news as QWU is featured in the prestigious American Out Traveler Magazine. Each issue
the quaterly glossy magazine features six 'Posh Happenings' from around the world. QWU is listed
as one of the top 6. For more infromation refer to their website www.outtraveler.com