A talented team of drag performers are snatching wigs across the UK - and they're showing no sign of slowing down.
Launched by creative director Daniel Vais in March of this year, Drag Syndrome is UK's first drag event featuring performers with Down Syndrome. According to Vais, the group's regular performances help to challenge misconceptions about people with Down Sydnrome, while providing a great platform for self-expression.
"I think some people will find it uncomfortable because they feel uncomfortable with a different sex wearing the opposite sex's outfit in general, so it's not because they are Down's syndrome," Vais told earlier this year.
He continued: "But the artists are really up for it and this is part of their artistic practice, so this is what we focus on - on ourselves, not the outside."
For mother Lucy, whose four children participate in Drag Syndrome, the initiative was a much-needed outlet.
"The reason that I adopted four people with Down Syndrome was because I used to go to an old Victorian hospital where people with Down's syndrome were just shut away," she said.
"I recognised that they were very, very talented and very interesting people who we had just shunned - so actually seeing them doing this is just what I dreamed of back then."
One of her sons, Otto, was quick to reiterate the positive takeaways of drag.
"I've really enjoyed being a drag - I definitely got more confident and I'm more comfortable," the 30-year-old award-winning actor and filmmaker said.
He added: "Being a drag is actually dazzling, darlings."
The performers have won themselves some famous fans, including high-profile local queen and Drag Race contestant Charlie Hides.
Drag Race judge Michelle Visage has even reached out on social media, tweeting: "I know myself and some of the girls would love to be part of Drag Syndrome!"
Who knows - with this week's announcement that for a local season, perhaps Visage will follow through and gets the talented troupe involved!
