Tucked by Tucked Magazine

TUCKED THE UK’S ONLY DRAG MAGAZINE

AUTUMN 2015 ISSUE 1 £4.95

TRASH QUEEN SHOWS US HER SKIN

+ MAISIE TROLLETTE THE LEGENDARY DRAG ARTISTE

+ TED ROGERS + ‘FROCKUMENTARY OF THE YEAR’

AN INTIMATE INSIGHT INTO THE UK DRAG SCENE; 1 TUCKED AND UNTUCKED 1

THE UK’S ONLY DRAG MAGAZINE

CONTENTS

COVER TRASH QUEEN

INSIDE AN EVENING WITH DAVID RAVEN MYTHCELLANEOUS: MAKE IT STOP MORE IS MORE WITH TED ROGERS DRESSED AS A GIRL

06 11 17 18

REGULARS INTRODUCING NEW DRAG THE BURNING QUESTION

05 22

KEY STAFF ALICE FREEMAN

IGA KOZAKIEWICZ

JOSIE TAGUE

AIDEN DALBY

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ART DIRECTOR PICTURE EDITOR

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT DESIGNER PRODUCTION MANAGER

EDITOR MANAGING DIRECTOR STAFF WRITER

SUB-EDITOR PRODUCTION MANAGER STAFF WRITER

WELCOME

TO THE UK’S ONLY DRAG MAGAZINE FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM AND SYLVIA BLOW READ ME We at Tucked want to bring you a quarterly look at what will interest, inspire and fulfil the needs of the contemporary drag queen. We have heard from the hundreds of queens and enthusiasts who have given an ‘about time’ attitude to us creating this magazine. With RuPaul’s Drag Race generating the American drag scene massive mainstream interest, we’re ready to throw open the curtains of the UK stage. An ever-growing, multi-faceted community, we have recognised that drag goes way beyond contouring and a pair of heels. Our evening with David Raven a.k.a Maisie Trollette is something we’ll remember for years to come. The walking, talking (and sometimes swearing) museum of drag opened our eyes to the highs and lows of drag history. His most humbling retelling was precursor to a no-fucks-given killer performance. Oh, and shooting four queens sharing the limelight was not easy, let’s put it that way. But when the disco balls came out to play, the bitchiness went away… We hope you enjoy the first issue of Tucked as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

TUCKED

Editorial Team

Is there anything more sass-filled than Tucked, my fellow drag queens? I think not. With summer so quickly upon us, there really could not be a more perfect time for a read of the UK’s only drag magazine. Especially with Gay Pride’s 25th anniversary sneaking up on us (we need to grab as many make-up tips as possible to look flawless girls!). The fabulous Tucked team have arranged an array of can’t-miss features for you. From the amazing Maisie Trollette, proving drag has no expiry date, a variety of camp-filled events (because they’re the best kind), a unique insight in the creation of drag names and even the art of gender fucking in a new documentary… AMAZING. For all you newbies, you’ve been treated to a look at Southampton’s baby drag queens. So if you’re struggling with pulling off that zebra print catsuit, I suggest you take note. You need to make sure your wigs are well secured my loves, because this issue will most definitely blow you away.

ALICE

IGA

Sylvia Blow x

EDITED BY: JOSIE TAGUE PHOTOGRAPHY: RYAN PAYNE

JOSIE

AIDEN

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALICE FREEMAN

INTRODUCING

THE BABY DRAGS OF SOUTHAMPTON WORDS: AIDEN DALBY / PHOTOGRAPHY: ALICE FREEMAN Each issue we present you with a fresh perspective on drag culture. We met with four young drag queens from Southampton to ask them a few questions about their local scene. We also set up a fun photoshoot for them while they were together. Some serious shade got thrown.

DYNASTY

COLE RICKETTS, 19 “The scene here is a bit older than I’d like, the performers are great but it needs something new, young and edgy. It doesn’t have to be me though. I’m just here to have a good time.”

J.OH

JOE CURRAN MELLER, 20 “Drag is an artistic flow. I put together everything I am wearing today from the ground up, and this kind of expression cannot be copied.”

GALAXY

STEVE CUTLER, 20 “I get a lot of free time so I can try lots of new things and find out what feels ‘me’.”

BELLADONNA DAYLE LÉFUSION, 26 “When I’m in drag, I can get away with being a total bitch. I love it.”

ARE YOU PRETTY YET? AN EVENING WITH MAISIE TROLLETTE

WORDS: AIDEN DALBY INTERVIEW: AIDEN DALBY & IGA KOZAKIEWICZ PHOTOGRAPHY: ALICE FREEMAN

David Raven a.k.a. Maisie Trollette is the definition of a living legend; he has been on the scene since the beginning and worked among some of the greats including Lily Savage. He jokes that if you name a star, he has a story about them, “I can name-drop like mad!” At the Queen’s Arms pub in Brighton, David’s dressing room is surrounded by a hall of fame’s worth of pictures of drag artists including Dockyard Doris, Mrs Shufflewick and Her Imperial Highness Regina Fong. David has over 40 years experience performing in front of audiences in places such as Argentine, Australia, Dubai, USA and even Goa. For someone who has been a part of the drag scene since the beginning you would expect David Raven, 82, to be at the forefront of everything happening in the community. However as he humbly explains: “It is difficult to describe how the scene has evolved, I don’t feel important enough. I’ve always liked to keep myself behind others. Also I’m 35 or 40 years older than others in the scene.” David Raven has been performing for the majority of his life. If there is a stage he will try to get on it. David first gained attention when he paired up with his friend James Court to become The Trollettes. As Maisie and Jimmy Trollette they first performed at The Black Cap (RIP) in Camden Town. “We did a sendup of the Beverly Hillbillies.” David recalls, “Someone once said after we performed, “You look like those Troggs in the mountains of Norway”. James and I chatted and thought that would be a great name. Then shortly after there was a rock group called the Troggs and they had

a number one hit! What are the odds of that?” As ‘The Trollettes’ David and James became a permanent fixture in London’s gay scene, that was until they were asked to perform in Brighton on a production of Cinderella. David enjoyed being in Brighton so much he decided to move there. A couple of years after moving he ran into some luck which allowed him to, with his partner Don, buy a guesthouse. “I won over £11,500 on the football, which at the time was a f**king lot of money.” David bet on Littlewood’s football pools, something which friends still joke about. When we asked his appreciation group on Facebook how to get a hold of him people were quick to respond with “you can find him at the bookies!”

The amount of accessories on the table in front of David is disorientating. He explains: “If there’s a large enough table I just get everything out, throw it in the air and just see what sticks out.”

After he has chosen, under all the pearl jewellery he picked he still has on a thin gold necklace he was wearing before, a cherished gift from his late partner Don. As David tells stories he occasionally feels the urge to swear, but when he does he covers his mouth with one hand and only murmurs part of the word. This would be the complete antithesis to what would be standing on the stage an hour later. The cheeky and sometimes obscene sense of humour seems miles away from the man sitting in front of us sharing anecdotes while sipping at his vodka and American dry ginger. He doesn’t project his voice as he does on stage, for the majority of the conversation he quietly reminisces. Being in the drag world as long as he has, he’s seen many of his friends pass away. In a sense, David is the last of his generation. Throughout the conversation, David can’t help but drop jokes here and there. As he spits into his eyeshadow to wetten it, we ask him how he learned to do his makeup. He responds with: “I was taught

“I WAS TAUGHT [HOW TO DO MY MAKEUP] BY HELEN KELLER...SHE WAS DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND!” 8

by Helen Keller….. she was deaf, dumb and blind!” Applying the rest of his makeup takes no time; he puts on his eyelashes on the first try which should be no surprise after 40 years of experience. There is no sign of nervousness, as either David or Maisie. As he converses with us you can’t help but notice a hint of excitement to get in front of his audience. With no vocal warmups of any kind, David becomes Maisie Trollette and strolls onto the stage, kicking things off with ‘The Lady is a Tramp’. She sings it like she’d been practicing all day. Maisie likes to be referred to as a drag ‘artiste’ rather than ‘queen’, as she explains: “it’s not just about dressing up as a woman. It’s a performance.” Her shows consist of a mix of show tunes and stand-up comedy in between songs. She engages with the audience as much as she can even during songs, be it flirting with the bartenders or poking fun at a group of middle-aged mums out for a hen night. With 19 professional pantomimes, numerous gay pride parades and countless performances around the world David still likes to perform in small pubs. As someone who has had a career that many would wish for, he remains grounded “I feel incredibly lucky, as I’m walking down the street I look at some people my age and wonder if someone has talked to them in the past week.” You would expect any person with his career would have a sense of arrogance but that is nowhere to be found. David is an incredibly humble and warm person. Age hasn’t changed or restricted Maisie’s performances at all, they are still as full of energy and as raunchy as always. David says that he will perform for as long as he can because as he puts it: “When I get on stage I get to do what I fucking like!” T

“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT DRESSING UP AS A WOMAN. IT’S A PERFORMANCE.”

MAKE IT STOP WORDS: IGA KOZAKIEWICZ PHOTOGRAPHY: ALICE FREEMAN

HOW OUR

MUCH LONGER IS COMMUNITY GOING TO SUFFER?

Some will agree that today being a part of the LGBT and Drag community is easier than what it was 20 years ago. It is finally legal to get married in the UK and US, and also to adopt children. There are several clubs, cabarets and events specifically for the drag scene as well as films, books and TV shows such as the famous RuPaul’s Drag Race and Drag Queens of London flooding the mainstream media. Whilst it appears society is beginning to embrace the subculture, many members of the gay community are still ostracised - especially by their own family members. 22-year-old Dance and Performance student, Raymond Thompson known as Mythcellaneous, came out when he was 13-years-old. He started drag over two years ago, however his family haven’t been accepting of it. This has come to the point to where he was bullied by his older sister. “Aren’t your mother, father and siblings supposed to be the closest to you? Shouldn’t family be the people not to judge you? If my friends don’t accept me for who I am, I will easily cross them of off my ‘friends’ list. But to see my own family members second-guess me, that is upsetting”. Even though Raymond moved four hours away from his family, the struggles continued through social media. Raymond’s sister saw his photo in drag on Facebook and she was not happy. She was unable

to accept why her little brother was dressing up as a girl – she started to cyber bully Raymond. “When I posted a photo of myself in drag my sister commented on it saying ‘babe what’s up with you dressing like a chick?’. My friend who had my back, commented right afterwards saying ‘you look sick! Better than most chicks!’. She then continued: ‘Please don’t encourage my boy…’ however my friend understands drag, so he ended the conversation explaining that if drag is what makes me happy, then what is the problem?” Raymond doesn’t understand why his family are so narrow-minded, “I am not going to change because they don’t like me for who I am. The older generation, like my parents, don’t understand what drag is and why I like to dress up. Unfortunately the problem is, they don’t WANT to understand”.

“SHOULDN’T FAMILY BE THE PEOPLE NOT TO JUDGE YOU?” Even though Raymond has been through tough times, it doesn’t stop him from putting himself out there, “For me it’s a creative way to develop a character that doesn’t exist. It makes me forget about all my problems at home”. His intention is to start performing and to get himself out there, “this will prove to my family that I am beautiful and talented. They will see it sooner than later”. Despite his past experiences on social media, Raymond is currently 11 creating a Facebook page for his drag persona Mythcellaneous, T whether his sister likes it or not.

“LORD FORGIVE ME, FOR I AM THE QUEEN OF TRASH” J.OH

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALICE FREEMAN MAKEUP: EMMA CUTTER STYLING ASSISTANTS: IGA KOZAKIEWICZ & JOSIE TAGUE PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: AIDEN DALBY WORDS: IGA KOZAKIEWICZ

TOP TUCKED TIP TO CREATE A CLEAVAGE EFFECT, BLEND A TONE DARKER THAN YOUR 15 SKIN IN A ‘Y’ SHAPE 15

TOP TUCKED TIP “IF YOU’RE NOT WEARING NAILS, YOU’RE NOT DOING DRAG.” -ALASKA THUNDERFUCK-

ATTACH YOURS TO A PAIR A GLOVES!

MORE IS MORE ILLUSTRATION: TED ROGERS WORDS: ALICE FREEMAN

Club-kid come alt-drag Ted Rogers is a trained dancer and acclaimed artist. He’s also been a photographer’s muse, calendar boy for Meat magazine and arranged a ‘tranny picnic’ on the steps of the Royal Exchange building. No mean feat for a 23-year-old from “suburbia”. Ted’s independent exhibition last year, ‘Daddy Please’ opened up a world of “lots of big dicks and lovely bums”. He has since honed his style into a homoerotic Tom of Finland-esque aesthetic. Around the same time, the self-confessed sucker for glamour was indoctrinated into the burgeoning East London drag/tranny scene. With the fullest of seventies porn-star moustaches and luscious false eyelashes, Ted is the hottest amalgamation of the underground alt-drag world. Introducing Ted’s Butch Queen, specially created for Tucked. An artist and creation that is everything we’d hoped for, and more. Who is she? She’s a scary vision of a butch, porny Queen. This is actually our Queen (Elizabeth II), which is a bit of a dig at society I guess, but she’s ugly. People are scary, and people scarily over-do shit which reflects the overly-muscly, overly-scary face. Almost like an extreme caricature. She’s the epitome of ‘more is more’. What does she say about you? It’s not necessarily a happy love-y drawing, but when it came out, I felt like I’d definitely expressed

something here. I’m trying to express myself in any way I can. As a dancer, I’ve mostly been living though someone else’s eyes. Now, I’m trying to live through my eyes. What’s the view through your eyes like? Although my general view on life is not so hot all of the time, being welcomed into the scene is beyond anything I could have imagined. With things like Sink The Pink, there’s a core of fking madness and not everyone has got the gusto to come and live that madness. If you have an interest, indulge. More madness is to be expected then? I’m actually going to Oxford University this weekend to do a Sink The Pink gig which is going to be the funniest thing ever. We’re going to be in the grounds with these crazy big looks. Art wise, seeing as my last exhibition turned out to be a really amazing thing in the end, I’ll probably do another in the future. At the moment I’m just practising sitting, waiting, listening and just breathing, which I usually hate doing. I hold my breath a lot, but I need to hear what I’m trying to say. Then I can 17 express myself. T www.artpornblog.com

DRESSED AS A GIRL WITH A FISTFUL OF GLITTER WORDS: ALICE FREEMAN PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHRIS AMOS, PRODUCER OF DRESSED AS A GIRL Self-proclaimed ‘Frockumentary of the Year’, Dressed as a Girl is a candid look at London’s underground drag scene. It’s unembellished, yet still covered in sequins and glitter. Following six cult drag stars across six years, the film rips off the wigs and wipes away the makeup of those involved in the Shoreditch scene that exploded in the 90s. From key figurehead and prolific queer entertainer, Jonny Woo to ‘Tranny with a Fanny’ Holestar. The concept for the film was conceived when director Colin Rothbart was on holiday with female drag queen Holestar. “We were discussing the vibrancy of the East London scene, when she pointed out there had never been a British Paris is Burning - even

25 years later. Why didn’t we make one? Or at least attempt to document the lives of the fabulous performers of East London both on stage and off. And so the idea was born. I think we have created a very different film, with an honest, self deprecating, British sense of humour.” The full cast; Jonny Woo, Holestar, Scottee, Pia, Amber, Holestar, and John Sizzle, the director described as an initially “suspicious” group of people. Yet when Rothbart gained their trust, he was eventually granted warts ’n’ all access to the extreme highs and lows experienced by the performers, both on and off-stage. “From boob jobs and breakdowns, to religious battles and rape convictions, public sex and private rows,” Rothbart was able to capture what the paparazzi never could.

The journey that six years of filming unfolds has divulged much more than what could be told in a single evening with one of the stars. “When you go to the venues where they perform, many people seem to have cameras, but this seems to be for just instant documentation,” claims the director. The release of the film comes at an uncertain time for London’s queer scene, with the closure of the legendary Black Cap in Camden. Whilst performers don their blacks to mourn, a sold out world premiere of Dressed as a Girl at the end of March saw the cinema seats suitably filled with colour. What is certain however, is that the intimate retelling has already been granted critical acclaim. The film has been recognised by BGT Flare’s LGBT London Film Festival and a large following of commander Jonny Woo’s

camp army as ‘one to watch’. There’s a distinct appreciation for the grittiness of the unpolished film that goes beyond the ‘all that glitters’ RuPaul’s Drag Race facade. Dressed as a Girl shows just how the queer queens of London’s underground are painting their faces, dressing, dancing and singing their way to a gender-bending posterity. But it hasn’t been without a fight. Dressed as a Girl is a film that packs a punch, with a fistful of glitter. Expect “high hopes, high heels and high drama.” The next screening of Dressed as a Girl will be at the Rio Cinema in Dalston. Sign up to the mailing list for more updates online at 19 www.dressedasagirl.com T

Vanity Von Glow © Copyright Michael James Photography

EVENTS IMAGE: WARREN KING (www.wkphotoraphy.co.uk)

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE UK DRAG SCENE?

GREENWICH STREET PARTY

STARTS OUTSIDE THE YE OLDE ROSE & CROWN SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2015, FROM 6PM Get your running heels on and join the Michael Joyce Charity Drag at the annual Greenwich Street Party! The George & Dragon and the Ye Olde Rose & Crown have teamed up for an evening of cabarete madness until 4am. The drag race was originally started in 2006 by Michael Joyce. Michael was a local actor who appeared on the drag circuit regularly as Estee Applauder. Tragically, in 2009 Michael

passed away in a car accident and now in his honour the event is named after him. Last year over 2,500 people attended but Harry Foster, a barman from the Ye Olde Rose & Crown, believes that this year is going to be the biggest party yet. Each year the Drag race raises money for certain charities. This year not one but two charities are involved. On the night, representatives from GALOP will stroll around with their buckets and benefit from your kindness in the charity raffle. For the drag race itself, the money will be raised for Prostate Cancer UK in their Men United campaign. To take part all you have to do is register online for free and create a JustGiving page for your funds. Nonetheless there is one requirement - you must wear at least 3-inch heels. The winner from last year’s race Miss St. Helens 1974 said: “it was an evening to remember!” The Greenwich Street Party and entertainment stage is situated just outside the Ye Olde Rose & Crown. Many top-class acts have been announced including: The Duchess, La Voix, Sandra, Lola Lasagne, Kelly Wilde, Rose Garden, Dave Lynn, Pop Tarts, Miss Jason and 2014’s Drag Idol Winner. They’ll be around to keep you entertained until 10pm, but if that’s too early for you, don’t worry. Complimentary coaches will be available from 10.15pm to take the crowd to the after-party at the George & Dragon where DJ Ian James will be on the decks until 4am. This is a free event and drinks will be available at normal bar prices. Visit www.greenwichstreetparty.com for more details.

VANITY VON GLOW PHOENIX ARTIST CLUB, LONDON MAY - JULY, EVERY SUNDAY

The Phoenix are bringing you cheap drinks, delicious food and internationally ignored superstar Vanity Von Glow. She is back on the piano and live every Sunday night, performing at her new London venue, the Phoenix Artist Club. Join the diva from 8pm until late as she sticks two fingers up to the rapid closure of her former Soho venues and commences the next chapter of her Sunday night mayhem.

MANCHESTER PRIDE

JOE BLACK’S HOUSE OF BURLESQUE

MANCHESTER GAY VILLAGE 28TH - 31ST AUGUST 2015

KINGS THEATRE, PORTSMOUTH SATURDAY 25TH JULY 2015

THE HUNTERS MEET, LONDON FRIDAY 1ST MAY 2015

For one night, and one night only, be transported back to the loveable eighties and the nights of rave and clubbing. Grab your tightest neons, most outrageous paint and craziest hair style to join Fanny Galore for The Hunters Meet 80’s night. For only £34 per head the party night comes with a four course mouth watering meal 7pm until 12 and an endless amount of fun to be had. To secure a seat for the night, booking online is essential. www. huntersmeet.co.uk

BRIGHTON PRIDE BRIGHTON MADERIA DRIVE/ PRESTON PARK 1ST - 2ND AUGUST 2015

With the theme of this years Brighton Pride being an amazing ‘Carnival of Diversity’ and it being the mighty 25th Anniversary of Pride, there is no better time to celebrate in the city and mark this important milestone and recognition of the community. The 2015 ‘Carnival of Diversity’ will encompass everything that has become creative, iconic and open-minded to make Brighton an internationally famous city. It is a chance to join with others in what is the liveliest, most colourful, uplifting and empowering visual showcase in the city and beat the record breaking attendance of last year. Purchase tickets at www.brightonpride.com.

LONDON PRIDE BAKER STREET, NW2 9QN SUNDAY 27TH JUNE 2015 - 12PM

Last year around a quarter of a million people came to London for Pride. Whether it be partying, protesting or watching, it was a record breaking event. This year the parade will leave Baker Street at 1pm. The latest theme is ‘Pride Heroes’, celebrating those who have made a difference to the community. Whoever your hero is, dress up and parade your proudness. If you’re wanting to join the actual parade, you need to register and pay the fees (no exceptions I’m afraid). Get ready to get your party on! www.prideinlondon.org

EIGHTIES NIGHT

If you’re looking for a spectacular weekend that you’ll never forget, then look no further. The Manchester Gay Pride event takes place in the city’s famous GayVillage. With thousands of spectators, young and old, friends and family, gay and straight attending the famous event - the atmospheric carnival and glamorous people who take part are definitely not to be missed. To avoid disappointment, it is best to head down early - visit www. manchesterpride.com for more details and prices.

Joe Black’s House of Burlesque is coming to the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth on the 25th July 2015. With burlesque professionals Eliza Delite and Fancy Chance, Drag Queen/King, Lizard Lady, burlesque shuffler and all round space pot Lolo Brow and much more. Even Joe Black himself will be performing, so it’s an event to make time for. Dressing up is highly encouraged and tickets are available from £10.50 via the Theatre website at www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

THE BURNING QUESTION EDITED BY: JOSIE TAGUE

WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE BURNING QUESTIONS WE WANT DRAG QUEENS TO ANSWER. BRINGING YOU A DIFFERENT TOPICS EACH MONTH, WE WILL FIND OUT THE MOST EXCITING AND DEVILISH ANSWERS FOR YOU TO READ. THESE ONES ARE WILD, COMICAL AND PLAIN BAWDY.

HOW DID YOU INVENT YOUR DRAG NAME?

MISS QWEEF

CRYSTAL METH

“I’m Erin Qweef, better known as Miss Qweef. I have always thought the word qweef was utterly hilarious to say; and we all know what it means in the world of females. So I just thought the name Miss Qweef just suited me perfectly. It’s sordid, dirty and hysterical (well I think so anyway), which pretty much describes me. I’ve always had a dirty mind, whether it’s in or out of drag (oops!) but who doesn’t love a foul-mouthed hoe from to time to time?

“When I began as a drag queen, it was under the name of Mary Poppers. After performing with the name I quickly realised after a month or so that a name like that was more suited to a camp or more traditional queen, which didn’t fit with my image. I wanted a name that would firstly be a little more unorthodox, but something that also represented my alternative aesthetic, so I came up with Crystal Meth. Plus meth as a drug has had an extremely heavy involvement in the gay adult entertainment industry, so it felt relevant.

With my constant dancing, stilt-walking and just generally being a club icon, I’d like to think an out-of-the-ordinary name is vital to any growing drag queen in the scene. Mine definitely catches people’s attention, and let’s be honest, we never do stop developing as an artist.”

PHOTO CREDIT: CRYSTAL METH

PHOTO CREDIT: AERAN MERRILLS

Crystal Meth is a lot more fitting than Poppers, it definitely gives me more of an edge, especially with the way I perform and dress as I don’t necessarily fit with the traditional drag style.”

IN THE NEXT ISSUE

“BIO” QUEEN LOLO BROW TALKS GENDER-FUCKING MARY MAC SERVES SCOTTISH REALNESS

AND WE INTRODUCE THE BABY DRAGS OF BRIGHTON

PHOTOGRAPH: HOLLY FALCONER this image originally appeared on Vice.com,http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/londons-faux-queens

THE UK’S ONLY DRAG MAGAZINE