Life's a Drag, UK Drag Queens
A history of UK drag
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The transcension of drag queens in the UK from the past to the present reflects a significant evolution in cultural acceptance, artistic expression, and media representation.
**Historical Context:**
In the past, drag in the UK was often associated with traditional theatrical performances, such as pantomimes, where men would dress as women for comedic effect. The visibility of drag was limited, and it primarily existed in niche venues or within the LGBTQ+ community.
**1980s to 1990s:**
The rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement brought more visibility to drag culture. Performers like Lily Savage gained mainstream recognition, and drag began to be seen as a legitimate art form rather than just a comedic gimmick. Clubs and bars started to embrace drag shows, and events like Pride celebrations included drag performances.
**2000s:**
The advent of reality television, particularly with shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race," popularised drag culture globally. UK performers, such as Bianca Del Rio and later UK queens like The Vivienne and Baga Chipz, gained fame, further bridging the gap between underground drag and mainstream entertainment.
**Present Day:**
Today, drag queens in the UK are celebrated figures in popular culture, with many achieving celebrity status. The art form has diversified, encompassing various styles and performances, from comedy to high fashion. Drag is also increasingly recognised for its role in activism, addressing issues like gender identity, sexuality, and social justice.
Overall, the transcension of drag queens in the UK showcases a journey from marginalization to mainstream acceptance, highlighting the vibrant, transformative nature of drag as both an art form and a means of self-expression.
Lily Savage aka Paul O'Grady
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Paul James O'Grady was an English comedian, broadcaster, drag queen, actor, and writer.
Paul achieved notability in the London gay scene during the 1980s with his drag persona Lily Savage, through which he gained wider popularity in the 1990s.
Born: 14 June 1955, Birkenhead, United Kingdom
Died: 28 March 2023 (age 67 years), Aldington, United Kingdom
Children: Sharon O'Grady
Spouse: Andre Portasio (m. 2017), Teresa Fernandes (m. 1977–2005)
Place of burial: St Rumwold's Church, Bonnington, United Kingdom
Regina Fong aka Reg Bundy
Her Imperial Highness, The Grand Duchess Regina Fong
Last of the Romanovs
Her Imperial Highness was born to the Russian Imperial Family of St Petersburg in 1905, but was almost immediately hidden away on the orders of the Czar due to her startling mane of flame red hair.
During the storming of the Winter Palace in the uprising of 1917, she escaped due to the quick thinking of her nanny, who flung her, clutching three Faberge Eggs, from a third floor window.
With great presence of mind and an ability to survive everything the world threw at her, she commandeered a Troika, and after a long and perilous journey, ended up in the Forbidden City in China.
She began teaching flower arranging to the Dowager Empress, who so taken with her skills, refused to allow her to leave. In order to secure her escape from the enclosed city, she married a Chinese courtier called Wing Wang Fong.
With her newly found freedom she moved to the stunning gothic mansion 'Fong Towers' in the Royal County of Berkshire, Great Briton, under the patronage of her imperial cousins, The Windsor' Rumours and urban myths followed Her Imperial Highness through out her life, some say she called herself 'Reginald' and impersonated a man from 1967 onwards in order to become a well respected dancer, appearing in the films "Oh What a Lovely War" and "Slipper and the Rose".
She appeared in "The Rolf Harris Show", as well as numerous performances in London West End and the Royal Court. Not to mention Panto and Rep around the country. She hosted "Club X" on channel 4, and completed another motion picture entitled "AKA".
There are stories also about an infamous and hugely popular all girl troupe called The Disapointer Sisters, one of whom had a startling mane of flame red hair!
Many people also swear that for a six-month period there appeared in various "bars" and seedy venues a mysterious man in black leather with an enormous black mascara coated moustache who after his fourth "pint" would regale fellow patrons of life in The Winter Palace! None of these "stories" were ever confirmed (nor denied) by Her Imperial Highness, but we do know that in 1985 she filled in for one week for a dear friend and hosted a show at The Black Cap.
One week turned into over 17 years, and so the legend of Her Imperial Highness, Grand Duchess Regina Fong was born.
She passed away peacefully on 15 April 2003.
R.I.P Regina the Grand Duchess
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Adrella aka Peter Searle/Peter Steadman
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Peter Searle, professionally known as Peter Steadman, who as ‘Adrella’ was a huge star of the cabaret circuit from the mid-70s and directly inspired many of those who are part of the current drag revival, died at the age of 56 after many years of illness.
Adrella worked both solo and with partners such as Lily Savage, David Dale, Ebbonknee and Ruby Venezuela. An old-school drag act, who mostly mimed to show tunes, he was best known for his Liza Minnelli routine.
He was also a Eurovision fanatic and even juror for the UK’s judging panel in 2008. For a while, during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, he was one of the most adored performers on the gay scene and did so much charity work that in 1987 he was given an award by the Terrence Higgins Trust.
Tragically his ill-health resulted in an early retirement and less recognition than he deserved. He made a comeback, delighting new audiences with his almost undiminihed star quality.
The son of a policeman, Searle claimed that he was raised in a police station in the middle of Hyde Park and that he was still living there in 1975, when he entered a talent competition at the Black Cap.
He popped briefly into the West End in 1982, when he appeared in La Vie en Rose at the La Vie, formerly the Windmill Theatre. But he will be remembered by most as one of the great gay scene acts, especially for his work at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
There are many recordings, notably of Adrella’s Nativity at Christmas, 1987, a show that drove the crowd wild. He also made numerous TV appearances on game shows, including Treasure Hunt, Talkabout, the Weakest Link and 15 to 1.
Adrella’s last big success was ‘Camp Camp’, which he produced at Butlin’s, Skegness, in 1991. A follow-up was abandoned. Searle later wrote, “The second one collapsed after Butlin’s withdrew, due to negative press affecting their bookings [reports linked the event to the AIDS scare], and in-fighting between the two companies who produced the first event.” Adrella continued to host the RVT’s Sports Days. But subsequently Peter’s health deteriorated.
(Text from QX Magazine 2012)
Zsarday aka Zsarday Forde/Skinny Bitch
“I knew Zsarday from when she performed at Regina Fong’s Monday Madhouse at the Black Cap.
The ‘And I am Telling You’ number, which was known as the ‘fur coat’ routine was iconic at the time.” – Sandra
Zsarday was a black trans performer in the circuit in the 80s and 90s in London, who sadly is no longer with us.
She was legendary throughout the London and UK scene for her performance in the Regina Fong show signing 'and I'm telling you'.
When she took to the stage in her fabulous Leopard skin coat and white pearls around her neck, she commanded everyones eyes.
With her shaking hands she would pull her coat off and throw it at the audience, then the pearls would be ripped off and where they would go is anyones guess.
Despite a career that included modelling for Alexander McQueen and Vivienne westwood, she lived a precarious life that tragically ended on her 40th birthday weekend in 2009.
Zsarday’s coat was donated to the Museum of Transology by her friend Mzz Kimberley