Cabaret: Living Herr Best Life

Unlike Mariah, Jason Reid DOES know Herr!


The last few months have certainly been eventful for the young drag artist – who some are predicting is destined for great success – following the sudden closure of Camden’s only queer cabaret den, Her Upstairs. It was a life-altering decision that shook both performers and customers. Herr’s future is, however, looking as bright as one of her trademark looks, as Jason Reid found out this week…


When I think of Herr, I think eye-catching aesthetic. Where do those looks come from? 

It’s kinda just been an evolution. I was obsessed with Scooby-Doo when I was growing up, so there’s that Daphne/Velma in-between vibe. I try to incorporate my love for retro fashion into my looks, and I always want the look to be strong. If the look can tell a story with the performance; I go that for as well. It’s all about bright colours and bold shapes.

I love that Scooby-Doo played a role!

I like to think that I’m quite cartoony because I have such a love for them. A lot of references come from that, too. 

What’s the story with the name Herr? Is it German? 

Yes! It’s a play on the German word for mister and the English feminine pronoun (when spoken). I used to have a different drag name which I don’t know whether to say or not… 

Well you have to now. 

I was called Cherry Popper. That didn’t reflect me in the slightest. So the Popper went, and the ‘c’ and ‘y’ of Cherry went, and just Herr was left!

You were part of the Her Upstairs team for over two years. Did you have any indication that it was going to close down? 

Until the night Her Upstairs closed, we genuinely had no idea what was going on. It was as sudden as it came across on social media. It hurt us, and it’s one of the worse things I’ve ever felt. For us who were working there, working hard, as performers, to make Her Upstairs an inclusive space knowing we’d put our heart and soul into everything, it cut really deep. Stripping everything down on that final night as a family was one of the most surreal experiences ever. Then, of course, not long after the closure there was more stuff relating to the running of the venue plastered all across social media. It seemed relentless. 

I know some will say it was only a bar, but it was much more than that for many queer people, and it was a huge part of your life. So how did you get yourself back on your feet and what’s the outlook?

Everything is surprisingly looking up. Since Her Upstairs closed I’ve been so busy working and being part of exciting new shows. Lots of people have shown us love and it’s not even ‘pity bookings’, it’s because they know we’re passionate performers who love what we do. I’ve felt very respected and supported by the community doing these shows in the last few weeks. Everyone has experienced loss on varying levels throughout their lives, and us losing Her Upstairs was truly horrible. 

Knowing the outcome, would you do it all over again? 

Yes, because I wouldn’t have the career I have now or be viewed as the artist I am if it wasn’t for my time at Her Upstairs. 

Tell us about the new night you’re involved with, The TuckShop. 

It’s the brainchild of Chris Clegg who runs Tuck Shop Management. He’s been incredible, working closely with us and producing the show. It runs every other Monday and I’m the host. Even though it’s a totally different venture, we want it to have the same camp and inclusive magic that we created at Her Upstairs: a space where everyone is welcome. 

The TuckShop is on Monday 15th October at 10pm. Phoenix Arts Club, 1 Phoenix Street, London WC2H 8BU

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