At 16 years old, Ben Graetz saw Tina Turner perform live at the Darwin Amphitheatre and it became a moment that would shape his career.
Now, more than 30 years later, his show TINA: A Tropical Love Story pays tribute to the late queen of rock and roll.
The show tells Graetz's story against the roaring soundtrack of Turner’s biggest hits, alongside guest performances from an all First Nations line up including Sani Townson, Cleapatra Pryce, Olivia Adams, Kristal West and dancers Garret Lyon and Roymata Holmes.
Graetz, a descendant of the Malak Malak, Kungarakan, Muran Clan (Iwaidja) in the Northern Territory and Badu Island in the Torres Strait, studied acting in Perth and later NIDA, and credits the queer scene in Sydney with finding inner peace.
"I wasn’t comfortable with my sexuality and who I was, and it wasn’t until I was 21, after I went to acting school that I started to kind of become a bit more comfortable" Graetz said.
"Obviously going to Mardi Gras and all of the queer experiences in Sydney and because I’m so passionate about performing and creating characters and entertaining, I used to go and watch a lot of the drag shows on Oxford Street and once I became comfortable with my sexuality I wanted to explore doing drag."
TINA: A Tropical Love Story will be at Brisbane's Powerhouse Theatre from 18 - 20 September. Source: Supplied / Joseph Mayers
Inspired by the drag queens from diverse cultural backgrounds (especially Māori queen Tess Tickle) he created Miss Ellaneous and would perform at corporate gigs and birthday parties before heading back home to Darwin to take on the club circuit full time in 2010.
Last year, over 20 years of experience and his love for drag and Tina Turner culminated to create his tribute to one of his biggest inspirations.
"It’s based on my love for Tina Turner, or some may say obsession, but also when I saw her live in concert here in Darwin when I was 16 in 1993," Graetz said.
"[The show] really tells the story of me growing up queer in Darwin."
In its second year, Graetz has been able to see the impact the show has on audiences.
“I think people leave [the show] feeling really joyous,” Graetz said.
“They’ve been able to celebrate the spirit of Tina, but also through my stories they’re able to understand my journey and what that’s been like, being a First Nations queer person growing up in a small regional town.
“It really connects on multiple different levels, it connects on an emotional level but on a joyous level as well.”
Graetz will return to Meanjin/Brisbane in October to host Miss First Nations, a First Nations drag pageant show.
The pageant invites drag artists from all over the country, with eight contestants chosen to compete in three heats over four days - Photographic, Best National Costume and Miss Talent before the Grand Final.
“That’s a really incredible event because it celebrates First Nations drag talent but also it creates incredible visibility,” Graetz said.
“We’re able to tell their stories throughout the event and people get an opportunity to connect with a lot of different diverse drag artists that are a part of the competition, so we’re excited for that and looking forward to seeing who takes out the crown.”
Graetz sees drag performance as an antidote to the hard times.
“I think for mob particularly, we’re often surrounded by Sorry Business or things that affect our community and to be able to have an outlet where we can come together and not take things so seriously,” Graetz said.
“[To] have fun and be entertained and sing and dance, that’s why I do it, to be able to entertain people and bring people joy and happiness.”
TINA: A Tropical Love Story is on at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 18 - 20 September.
Miss First Nations takes place at MELT Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 23 October - 25 October.
