It was love at first bite for Dracula star

JAMAL HADDOU took his camera to a night at Dracula's dinner cabaret in Melbourne, catching the transformation of Stewart Reeve from Gold Coast lad into an ultra-glam drag star.

Performer Stewart Reeve, 29, goes by the drag name of "Diamond" at Dracula's Cabaret in Melbourne. He has been performing there for four years.

Stewart said his drag character and ordinary personality are completely different. “I’m totally different outside of work. My drag persona is in the back somewhere … it just comes out when I’m all done up,” he said.

Stewart’s make up regimen involves foundation, concealing, contouring, lipstick, mascara, fake eyelashes and glitter. Stewart said when he first started applying makeup it “took ages and it was terrible”.

Besides the paparazzi, Stewart said the worse part about his job is “poking yourself in the eye with mascara”. “I’ve always wanted to do this,” Stewart said. “Probably from the moment I had a breakdown in the shop to my aunt because she wouldn’t buy me a dress when I was five. Every photo I have as a child is always of me performing or dressed up so I think it’s always been in there. Making it happen in work is a little bit harder,” he said.

Even in 30 years, Stewart expects to continue working in drag performances. “I couldn’t think of anything else that I’d like to do because I don’t get sick of my routine. I don’t want to be a chef or a businessman ... I’d probably fuck that up, but I’m fine doing this,” he said.

“I think my mum is proud but I’m not sure. I haven’t had a lot of family come and see the show. I think they’re cool with and it I think they’re happy that I’m finally doing what I like to do. I don’t really care anyway … I’m still going to do it,” he said.

Coming into work early is important to let the cabaret night run smoothly. “Being mentally prepared is so important,” said Stewart. “We have sound check at 6.30, start up at 7pm and probably finish around 11,” he said.

Despite the light-hearted nature of his job, Stewart said it was not an easy career. “It’s difficult to just be on top of it all the time. Every night you have to give it 100 per cent,” he said.

Audiences are appreciating drag performers more, in Stewart’s opinion. “People find it a bit confronting. But it’s really interesting because at the end of the night you find the people you think will find it most confronting are usually the ones that enjoy it the most … for example the big butch guys from Northern Queensland or the country. I think it’s getting better,” he said.