Cover Image: BarbieQ leads the cast in sequins, cowboy boots and camp choreography at Dolly Parton: Welcome to Koorliny. Photo supplied.

Dolly Parton: Welcome to Koorliny
Friday 15 August, Koorliny Arts Centre

It’s the legs that get you. Always the legs. I do Pilates, I walk my dog—so why don’t mine look like that? I could blame my age, but let’s face it, my legs have never, at any age, looked as fabulous as BarbieQ’s.

Last Friday, the Koorliny Arts Centre theatre was awash with sequins, cowboy boots and lashings of hairspray, and that was before the performers even took the stage. As the lights dimmed, the crowd waited, primed and ready, for an evening of sensational drag.

BarbieQ, one day away from celebrating 27 years in drag, saunters out like a woman who knows. Knows she looks good, knows she’s got you, knows she could probably get away with murder if she did it in those heels. Every aspect of the performance, from the slick, tightly choreographed troupe of six male dancers to the effortless lip-syncing, was as highly polished as BarbieQ’s sparkling, holographic silver nails.

There’s something quite surreal about drag, and I confess I was momentarily taken aback to hear Dolly’s distinctive voice seemingly emerging from a statuesque queen in rhinestones and a towering blonde wig. So many of today’s high-profile drag acts are also sensational live singers that I almost forgot lip-syncing remains a core element of the art form. Once I reminded myself, I settled back and surrendered to the magic.

BarbieQ’s Dolly isn’t a caricature, she is utterly charming—relatively understated, even demure at times. This is an homage, love letter to the woman herself—part sparkle, part sweetness. The costumes are bedazzling but modest (for drag), even Dolly’s famous bust is dialled back to the “post-reduction” end of the scale, though perhaps it’s best not to dwell on a lady’s figure.

The dancers revelled in the camp choreography and get more costume changes than Madonna—flannel shirts, then tiny red shorts and pom-poms (Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders eat your heart out), leather trousers with chains (hello, rockstar fantasy), jeans and singlets for a bit tap dancing ho-down action.

As one of the world’s most gifted and prolific songwriters, Dolly’s catalogue is vast and varied and the setlist would be great for Dolly bingo. Highlights included Jolene, 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You, Higher and Higher, Wrecking Ball—and many more. All performed with palpable passion, and often alongside BarbieQ’s real-life husband and fellow drag artist Alexas Armstrong.

Personally, I would have loved a touch more atmosphere. The white screen at the back of the stage felt a little clinical; this show was crying out for a smoke machine, some side lighting and maybe a couple of laser beams. But I will look out for the return season at Fringe World 2026 which will hopefully deliver all the grunge and glamour the concept deserves.

The audience clapped in time, sang along to their favourites, and as I watched BarbieQ (who surely has one of the best walks in the business) sashay across the stage, I couldn’t help thinking how much Dolly herself would love it.

Takeaways from the night:

1) Listen to more Dolly

2) Write a hit song (four chords, some heartbreak, how hard can it be?)

3) Get to the gym and work on those legs

Dolly Parton: Welcome to Koorliny was a one night show for the Koorliny Arts Centre.