The Black Cap, as always, has a plethora of the finest glitterati lined up to entertain us merry gayers throughout the chilly winter months. We managed to prize London’s most illustrious “drag expert”, Jason Reid, away from Facebook for a few hours to have a chat with Mandy Gap and Nicky Vixen, who are at the Black Cap every Thursday with a new residency, Mandy Gap’s Shin Dig…
JASON: What can we expect from your new show at the Black Cap and how did your collaboration come about?
MANDY: Mandy Gap’s Shin Dig is just about recovering from Christmas and having fun. I sing some wonderful songs and Nicky stuns the audience with her glamour. I am very topical and love to chat with the darlings in the audience.
NICKY: I first met Mandy at Battersea Dogs Home where I was working as a kennel maid. She came in and rescued a skinny black Labrador called ‘Sandra’ and we hit it off straight away.
You’re both Black Cap veterans; what do you like about performing there in particular?
MANDY: I love performing at the Black Cap because it holds so much history and so many greats have graced the stage over the years. Also, the Camden darlings are always up for it.
NICKY: It’s the first place I ever performed, and I feel like I grew up there. It always feels like coming home when I’m there.
How do you think the cabaret scene has changed over the years, and how do you envisage it evolving in the years to come?
MANDY: I don’t think there is enough ‘old school style’ cabaret, even though we have some great new acts emerging. I think we need less of the ‘pretty-pretty-I-need-to-eat’ characters and more of the larger than life ones!
NICKY: The London scene has had many ups and downs over the years and drag has gone out of favour many times. I feel that it is on the up now, with some great new venues and acts breaking through. The future looks bright.
Apart from each other, who on the cabaret circuit would you love to do a joint show with and why?
MANDY: I’d like work with CK, down a mine shaft.
NICKY: There is a fabulous performer from Sydney called Mitzi Macintosh, who is now living and performing over here. I would love to be in a show with him as his act has glamour, comedy and great choreography and that type of drag is right up my street. He shows that mime drag, when done right, is an art form.
Great, so what do you both have in the pipeline for 2012?
MANDY: Well, I’ve just finished recording the last ever ‘Weakest Link’. I was the only cabaret artist asked back, which was a privilege and an honour, but not a surprise. Also, I’m in the studio recording my new album ‘Mandy Gap’s Right On Track’, as well as lots of TV appearances and cabaret shows all over the world.
NICKY: I have my finger in many pies; as well as working with Mandy I am also part of the cabaret trio Masquerade with Titti La Camp and Millie Turner, and doing own my own solo stuff. I also work part time at Lidl, which keeps me very busy.
WHICH FIVE CABARET STARS, LIVING OR DEAD, WOULD YOU INVITE TO A DREAM DINNER PARTY AND WHY?
MANDY
D.E Experince – She hits the notes that only the dogs in Battersea can hear and I wanna know how she does it
Ruby Venezuela – I love a good old ruby and she makes me smile. She is a true drag legend.
Ceri Dupree – Because you just know she will be glammed up to the nines.
Sandra – Simply because I don’t have a dishwasher.
Well, seeing as I’m not invited to Mandy’s dinner party I’d like to have the old gang together, just one more time, and that includes:
Regina Fong – She was my dearest and much missed friend.
Millie Turner – She’d bring the vodka.
Zsarday – She would supply the beauty.
Titti La Camp – She could give everyone a lift home afterwards.
Sandra – Just to keep her off the ‘Heath.
• Don’t Miss Mandy Gap’s Shin Dig, featuring the fabulous Nicky Vixen, every Thursday in January at The Black Cap (171 Camden High Street, NW1 7JY). Doors open at 10pm.
