Manila von Teez on Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap

Now in its second week, Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap is a reality show following Cape Town’s spiciest drag queens. The cast includes multiple pageant title holders, including drag superstar Manila von Teez, Miss Sovereign Western Cape winners Ina Propriette and Maxine Wild, Miss Gay Western Cape and Miss Cape Town Pride Kat Gilardi, multi-award winner Emogan Moore, and rival house mothers BB Vahlour and Madison Scarr.

The Showmax Original is an all-access look at the behind-the-scenes drama, wins and losses of drag queens who dedicate their lives to entertaining audiences.

Watch the trailer for Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap

Over the past two episodes, we have seen world-class performances, we have been served piping hot tea and we also saw the ladies come together to support each other - sometimes! - and their craft. 

We caught up with Manila Von Teez, who has been doing drag for 14 years. During her illustrious career, she became the first drag queen to be named Runner Up at SA’s Got Talent. 

How have you grown from when you started drag?

I feel like my drag has evolved tremendously. I looked at pictures from when I started, and it's actually scary. It’s not just how I look, but also how I view drag. I have such a deep passion for this art form. Personally, I have also matured and had a chance to experience what hustling is about. I've learned a lot since starting.

How has the industry changed?

The industry has changed in so many ways, and it has grown a lot. More venues are open to the idea of having drag as entertainment. The art form is now watched in more than just nightclubs and we are now more respected as artists. It's a job like any other, and there should be respect.

How do you conceptualise your performances?

For me, it always starts with a feeling a song gives me. I believe that the music needs to speak to me first before I'm able to translate that emotion to the audience. During this, I visualise costuming and choreography, and this could be anything from five minutes to eight months.

Is it expensive to put on a show?

Expensive is an understatement. Queens often perform in garments and wigs that cost a lot of money, so head to toe, it costs a good penny. I'm lucky that I'm able to make my own garments. Otherwise, I would be broke.

What makes a drag performer great?

What makes a great performer is the passion for not just drag but for being on stage, to be able to let someone buy into the fantasy you’re trying to sell during the performance.

What is your favourite part of being on Beaulah?

My favourite part about being on Beaulah is that it allows people to see our stories. Sometimes, with all the performance of a drag show, people forget we are human, and we have hearts. You will see a lot of heart in the show.

How long does it take for you to transform from Veon Wentzel to Manila?

This all depends on my schedule – it could take one and a half hours to three hours; however, the three hours are scarce these days.

How supportive is your family of your career?

They are extremely supportive. Drag is what opened up conversation between my family and me again after my initial "coming out" to them as gay had not gone so well. Now they are often at my shows, sitting front row, and screaming the loudest.

Why should people watch?

It's a great show. We are a colourful bunch of people. I also get teary-eyed when I think how amazing it is to see trans stories being told, not by others, but by trans people themselves. The years and years of hard work and push to have the art form recognised in our own country is finally happening. This show is going to make you laugh, cry – even scream at the TV. 

Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.

Join the conversation: #BeaulahQueensShowmax