It’s less than a week until Brighton Belle Lola Lasagne offers herself up for the roasting of a lifetime. And after 25 years as one of the scene’s sharpest tongued entertainers, is she ready for the mother of all tongue-lashings from her Roasters? Oh, we definitely think so. Jason Reid spoke to Lola about the past, the present and the future this week…
The Drag Roast will be the culmination in a series of 25th anniversary celebrations for you. How does it feel to be 25 years in the business?
Bizarre, but satisfying that I was part of what many call the ‘golden age’ of the scene when it was spread over all four areas of London. Satisfying too that I had the chance to see and work with a breed of acts, DJs, landlords and venues, who paved the way for the LGBT scene. And to return to the RVT for the Roast is the icing on the cake.
If you could go back to that very first show in 1989, knowing what you now know, what advice would you give to yourself?
Three things: learn to dance, learn to sew and learn to style wigs.
Is there anything you still haven’t done that you’d like to do?
I’d love to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe, but I can’t afford to work for no money for a month! To do more ‘straight’ acting would be good too. And I think the US should start inviting UK drag queens over to work now, so a gig in NYC please!
As you said, you’ve worked with some of the best in the business: Lily Savage, Adrella and HIH Regina Fong to name but a few. As a young performer what did you learn from them?
I learnt about shows, music, singers and that the original version of something isn’t always the best version. I learnt how to structure a show: where to begin, what goes in the middle and how to end.
Is there anything you’d change about yourself ?
[laughs] Whatever I say here will be met with a raised eyebrow and a snort of derision so maybe I’d best say nothing at all. Although the fact I’m doing this Roast shows I have more of a sense of humour then some people give me credit for!
I guess you saw your Roasters limbering up on this very page last week. Do you have a message for them?
Last week’s QX showed me that Myra has set the bar; Rose is at the bar; Mrs Moore is under the bar, and Miss Jason is looking for the salad bar.
100% of the ticket money raised from the Roast will go to HIV/AIDS charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, a cause that’s close to your heart, I believe?
Yes. As I was coming out HIV/AIDS was starting to emerge so I’ve seen the marvellous and necessary work the THT – and others – have done. And despite the stigma of HIV/AIDS reducing somewhat plus the advances medicine has made, it’s important to keep awareness and education at the forefront of people’s minds.
• Lola Lasagne’s Drag Roast will be on Thursday 25th September at The RVT (372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY) from xxpm?
