Man up: Europe's Biggest Drag King Competition poster

"We’ve had loads of competitions. Man-up, which was our drag competition, which really helped galvanise Drag Kingery and validate that as a drag performance within the community and that’s grown to huge audiences. That also…the thing about the Glory, is that the events..because the glory became a brand, we were smart enough to bring that to other festivals and take it around the country and take it to the National Theatre. For 9 years we done a outdoor theatre stage which we had for three days. So we’ve been welcomed in by institutions and we’ve also taken on big competitions like Lip-sync 1000 and Man-U p to Clapham Grand for big finale’s. So I think if you’re asking about the essence of the GLory, its about creativity, it's about having an open door policy for artists who want to explore their creativity. It's been a space where we have learned to create work for people. Paid work. Its got its own queer economy. Which we share with places like Dalston Superstore, which I think helps, consolidate us as businesses that are viable, that employ people that treat people well. We are not just a concept, we are a viable business that people are lucky enough to have to understand. Its like the Wizard of Oz, pull back the curtain and its me paying invoices. And trying to work out how to do well by our staff.
But what we are lucky to do is be a breeding ground for queers and a place in a true sense, a safe space for young people coming out and starting their journey in the big bad world, and discovering their own confidence and bringing their own sense of self out from our little building, 281 Kingsland Road".
- John Nolan (AKA John Sizzle) March 2024