User:Rosebush40/Rose Bush

Rose Bush, Drag Diva, New Zealand

Rose Bush is the creation of Bruce Groves (1963 - )born in Thames, New Zealand and now residing in Manukau City. First brought to life on stage in 1999 at Diva's Bar and Cafe in Auckland, New Zealand. Rose Bush the character is based upon well-known English television characters; Sybil Fawlty; Hyacinth Bucket's sister, Rose; Bette Lynch of Coronation Street, as well as local drag queens of Rose's youth. Whereas most other drag queens focus on portraying female performers as well as they can, Rose looks for the comedy in a performer and portrays that. Most songs performed are from the 1960s and 1970s, or uniquely stand-alone songs chosen for their message or irony. Rose Bush has made countless television appearances in New Zealand on both national and regional shows as well as featuring on Off The Rails, produced for SKY TV. She has also appeared or performed in clubs in West Hollywood and San Francisco, as well as Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Whangarei, N.Z. Since the closure of Surrender Dorothy!, a popular gay bar in Ponsonby, Auckland in 2005 Rose has focussed her performances on corporate and private events, returning to the public stage briefly in 2010/2011 at Dot's Sister bar, created by Surrender Dorothy! founder, Peter Taylor.