The Royal Countess Zingara has a new leading lady, and Tollie Parton is hardly one to slip quietly into the background. The popular South African drag artist has joined La Dolce Royal at Melrose Arch, bringing plenty of personality, sharp humour and her own unmistakable brand of glamour along for the ride.

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 threads 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 delivers even more mischief, mayhem, and surprise.

La Dolce Royal runs from Tuesday to Sunday 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, a sumptuous four-course dinner, and the show.

With end-of-year celebrations creeping closer, bookings are now open for functions and special occasions, while VIP experiences are available for anyone wanting to make a little more of the night. The show carries a PG12 age restriction.