The Royal Countess Zingara has found her latest leading lady and she is every bit as outrageous, glamorous and gloriously larger-than-life as the Countess herself. Beloved South African drag artist Tollie Parton is joining La Dolce Royal at Melrose Arch, bringing her unmistakable brand of charisma, comedy and unapologetic fabulosity to Zingara’s spellbinding world.
A drag queen who needs little introduction, Tollie has become one of the country’s most recognisable performers. With a personality that refuses to enter a room quietly, she has built a devoted following by owning exactly who she is, boldly, brilliantly and with a wicked sense of humour. Now, she steps into the fantastical realm of La Dolce Royal, where she will thread her irreverent magic through the production, weaving together the show’s characters, stories and spectacular moments.
“Tollie is wonderfully outrageous with the rare ability to command a room while making everyone feel part of the joke. She is warm, naughty and completely herself and we love that. about her,” says Creative Director Richard Griffin.
La Dolce Royal, which opened at Melrose Arch in June this year, is the latest lavish creation from visionary producer Richard Griffin, and co-directed by Craig Leo and Valentina Leo. It is a decadent feast for the senses, where the timeless enchantment of Countess Zingara collides with contemporary circque, theatrical storytelling, marvellous cuisine and world-class acts.
Housed within a plush Spiegeltent, audiences enter a dreamlike realm where music, movement, comedy and artistry shimmer together, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. And with Tollie now part of the experience, the evening promises even more mischief, mayhem and surprise.
La Dolce Royal runs Tuesdays to Sundays at the Melrose Arch Pavilion. Guests are encouraged to arrive from 5pm to explore the grounds, browse the Bijoux Boutique, have their tarot read or indulge in a little theatrical face painting before the show commences at 7:30pm.
Tickets start at R1,360 per person and include a welcome drink, the sumptuous four-course dinner and the show.
End-of-year functions and special occasions are now open for bookings, with enchanting VIP experiences also available. For VIP bookings, contact Vanessa@zingara.co.za. For brand integration opportunities, contact nicky-annedebeer@zingara.co.za. PG12