When you think of a remote outback town famed for its history of mining and unionism, visuals of drag queens dancing on a giant stiletto float, parading down the main street probably isn’t what comes to mind. But in celebration of Priscilla Queen of The Desert’s ‘dirty thirtieth’ birthday this year, that’s exactly what you’d have witnessed if you found yourself in Broken Hill over the weekend for Broken Heel Festival.
Now in its ninth year, Broken Heel Festival was started by Broken Hill local Esther LaRovere along with her sister and brother-in-law, who own The Palace Hotel, a filming location in the 1994 cult classic film. After the release of Priscilla Queen of The Desert, Broken Hill became a must-visit location for touring drag performers and film fanatics, and so it’s reputation for all things camp began. The annual festival sees drag artists from all over the country and even as far as New Zealand gather to perform for keen punters; a mix of locals and blow-ins who gather in the outback town in appreciation of drag culture.
This year was set to be the last Heel festival for the foreseeable future with The Palace soon to begin extensive renovations, and this along with the 30th anniversary of the film’s release called for a bigger and better five-day event than ever before. The line-up included celebrated drag performers like The Huxleys, Dandrogyny, Sexy Galexy, Anita Wigl’it, Danny Golding and more, and even beloved music legend Marcia Hines headlined on Friday night, covering classics like ‘It’s Raining Men’ to a dancing crowd. Saturday night saw performer Greg Andrew pay homage to the Rocket Man himself with the ‘Elton John Experience’ taking to the main stage in the street next to the Palace. On both nights Zackari Watt performed opera from the top of Broken Heel’s enormous stiletto, framed by fireworks behind set off from the top of the Line of Lode.
The highlight of the festival was Saturday’s infamous Mardi Gras-inspired Broken Heel Parade. Broken Hill’s main drag, Argent Street, was shut off from traffic so that floats, motorcycles, vintage cars, firetrucks and camels carrying drag queens and kings could travel down the street while excited spectators applauded from the many pub balconies that line the street. Both locals and out-of-towners were invited to take part in the festival dressed up in their best drag get-ups, which they did en masse, bringing a rainbow of colour and sequins to the main drag.
Though it looks as if at least a several-year hiatus is in order for the festival, publican Esther LaRovere hasn’t ruled out a future festival in celebration of the recently announced Priscilla sequel in years to come. And in the meantime you can always book a room in the Palace Hotel’s ‘Priscilla Suite’ which remains exactly as it’s seen in the film, if you want to experience a little slice of Priscilla for yourself.
