Maisie Trollette celebrated her 80th birthday last week down at Central Station, and QX went down to report on the action. Here, a selection of her friends, admirers and who knows, even lovers, give the lowdown on what makes the Trollette one of the best… At the launch night for the ‘Maisie at 80’ album, raising money for ‘The Father Ray Foundation for Thai Orphans’.
“David Raven has always encouraged new talent and been an inspiration to us all. When I did my first panto dame – he lent me all his costumes until I had some of my own – and was always around with advice and inspiration – a diamond in the cabaret world”
– David Rumelle
“David has been one of the most genuine and kind people I’ve come across whenever we’ve crossed paths. I’ve bumped into him many, many, many times over the years and he’s been the first to volunteer for any charity fundraising events I’ve organised. I do recall a couple of queens turned up at the Pride street party and started voicing their opinion too loudly about why everyone in Brighton was glorifying some ‘leather face old drag queen’.As you’re probably aware, Brighton is quite close knit and Maisie is something of a local legend there – in that one sentence, by proxy, they managed to get themselves banned from every gay venue in Brighton and were ushered back on the train to where they’d come from!”
– Lee Hathaway, magician, winner of ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us’
“It was an amazing and bona pre-birthday party launch night for the Maisie at 80 album and I am privileged that my version of Sweet Dreams has been included on this iconic album raising money for such a good cause. As I was also privileged on the evening to have been asked to join Pete Martine at the end of the show! A big well done to the gorgeous Maisie… Looking forward to the follow up album… Maisie at 90.”
– Barbara Bush
“I enjoyed doing the commercial we did together (directed by Mel Smith incidentally …sad loss) and that I’m delighted so much money was raised for such a worthwhile cause”
– Earl Grey
“Maisie, what can I say… Love you”
– Sandra
“The first time I ever saw her work was in the old Oriental in Brighton. I was a much bigger girl then and the first words out of her mouth were ‘don’t fall off that stool dear or we will all go off the Richter scale’. Rude woman.”
– Miss Jason
“Maisie has been an inspiration throughout the years. The first time I saw her was performing with The Trollettes at The R.V.T. Her comedic genius never failed to make me laugh especially when they used to kick one another off stage. Whether it was an accident I don’t know. She is also a bit of a gambler I remember shopping in Brighton and seeing that naughty Miss Raven coming out of the bookies. A girl after my own heart.
– Glendora
“I remember being on a beach in Thailand with Maisie (David), he ripped the last few pages from my friend’s book. He didn’t know till he got to the end, there was no end! That’s David for you – a professional Practical Joker! Luckily he gave them back.”
– Davinia Sparkle
“It was an honour to be asked to be part of the show and CD, to do something special for a well regarded veteran of the cabaret scene and of course to raise money for this charity.”
– Phil Lawrence
