“I am an equal opportunities bitch. I don’t focus on any one group for my act; I focus on all of them. Whether they are LGB or T, male, female, overweight, underweight or even need their roots doing.”    

These are the words of the ‘Drag Mother’ of Leeds Anna Glypta, who has entertained hundreds of thousands of people since her explosion onto the scene in 2003.

 
But, Anna nearly did not happen at all and she certainly was not planned. It was during a slightly boozy afternoon in The New Penny that Anna’s alter-ego Marcus offered to drag-up in order to solve the DJ crisis that the Penny’s manager had and the rest, as they say, is history.

Wherever you may go on the Leeds scene, someone always will have an opinion on Anna Glypta and she also gets a great deal of ‘stick’ to this Anna said; “I am a big and easy target and long established in Leeds. It is easier to joke about someone that everyone knows about and I would be a lot more worried if people did not joke about me. Some may hate me, some may love me but at least they notice me.”

Anna continued. “As well as The Birdcage girls, Daisy (Daisy DuPont) and myself were the only other drag artists on the scene and we are both the Marmite of the drag world.” But love her or hate her Anna is definitely one of the most successful acts to come out of Leeds in a long time. It is hard to believe now that, almost eight years ago that there were only two drag acts on the Leeds scene. Anna said, “The novelty [of drag] has gone and I can, within the next year or two see it declining on the scene, it has now gone beyond saturation point and there is no longer any fluidity.”

When asked if this was the reason why Anna had further developed her act and is moving into more other forms of cabaret and shows, in particular her ‘Ladies nights’ and more recently the incredible ‘Georgie Boy’ act which is a tribute to the wonderful Boy George, the response was, “no and much like Anna, Georgie Boy happened by accident.”

It was during an 80’s night at Homo around three months ago that Georgie Boy was born. Going to the night with the lovely Anja Bach, who dressed as Madonna, Anna decided on Boy George. So many of the customers were convinced that Anna was actually Boy George himself that Anna, who is a life-long fan, decided to dedicate an act to the Karma Chameleon star.

Though Gylpta will not be dropped as she is a fundamental part of Anna's act, Georgie Boy will be undertaking a lot more work in future. Anna spoke with incredible passion about the act and Boy George and said; “Myself and Boy George have had the same influences and I greatly admire that he refused to allow people to tell him how to run his own life, he is an icon. I would absolutely love to perform with him one day.” It appears that to an extent the feeling is mutual as the actual Boy George has begun following Anna on Twitter.

As well as performing in The Viaduct Showbar, a place which Anna describes as her home and a place that she just loves to bits, Anna’s ‘Hot Hunks, Ladies night’ will be touring the length and breadth of the country. “Hot Hunks Ladies Nights is a new venture aimed at providing England with some world class cabaret entertainment.”  Hopefully, the night will really take off and Anna will be inundated with bookings for her and her hot hunks.

If all of this was not enough, on the third Sunday of every month beginning on 20th of September, Anna will be hosting a brand new night at Queens Court. Described as an alternative Poptastic, it will cater for all LGBT tastes from Goth, Emo and complete rock. Anna said; “His n Hers at Queens Court is going to be fantastic and something completely original for the scene. I love rock and originally, I very nearly called myself Anna Kist!”

Despite being offered summer residences across Europe, Leeds is Anna’s home and preferred location. Anna is indeed a part of the scenery and her act continues to grow and develop and always offers something fresh and exciting that can please even the most diverse of crowds and the city is incredibly lucky to have her.

Gayleeds.com would like to say a massive thank you to Anna Glypta for taking the time to be interviewed by us and for the entertainment that she has provided for many years and long may that last.

Links

Anna Glypta website http://www.annaglypta.com/index.php

 
Anna Glypta facebook http://www.facebook.com/annaglypta

Hot Hunks Ladies Night http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=41234878724

Georgie Boy http://www.facebook.com/annaglypta#!/georgieboytribute?ref=ts