Winging her way in from Melbourne, Australia, Dolly Diamond is in the UK for a month of shows, sightseeing and sunning herself with drag pal Rose Garden. She’ll be bringing her unique brand of live drag and comedy to Halfway to Heaven, Admiral Duncan and Brighton Pride during her visit. Jason Reid took time out to chat to Dolly this week about Australian drag, Pie and Mash and her favourite performers.

Well hello, Dolly, you’re looking swell…actually I can’t see you because you’re still in Australia, so I’m assuming, and I thought it’d make for a suitably camp opener. BUT by the time this goes to print you’ll have landed in London. ANYWAY, how are you? Been busy? Long time no chat…

Hi Jason, I’m well thanks. Living in Australia keeps me very busy. I’ve just finished doing some big band shows with a Christmas in July theme, any excuse to get the tinsel out.

Are you coming to the UK to escape the Australian winter, if there is such a thing?

Melbourne most definitely has a winter, and as I approach my 40’s I’m hating the cold even more, so London’s Summer is a must. I’ll be out and about as much as possible, and catching up with my old friend Rose Garden.

Ahh, good old Rose. As a dear friend, what is it that you admire about her most?

That she’s still alive.

Oh Dolly, she’ll love that! You two perform as part of a double act too: Pie & Mash. Will you be doing your bit for Anglo-Australia relations and resurrecting that act on this trip?

Yes, I’m doing Brighton Pride with Rose. I was poisoned the last time I performed there, by a young girl from Trashville in Tennessee if I remember correctly. I won’t be so quick to put my nose to the fence this time, well not without asking what the fark it is?

How strange! How would you describe your onstage connection with Rose?

We’ve always had great chemistry. She’s always pie-eyed and I’m always mashed!

Best way to be! As an Aussie born and bred, why do you think the country has such an appetite for drag? It’s almost in the blood.

It’s been going on for years here, but it really found it’s footing after Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Most performers mime over here, so as a live artist, I’m quite the novelty. Let’s face it, we all like an excuse to dress up!

Having performed in both countries, do you think there’s much of a difference between UK and Australian styles of drag?

In the UK it’s more of a nod to the old variety days, with an emphasis on comedy and I’ve brought that style to Melbourne. It’s a bit rough and ready in Australia, but there’s room for both.

How about the audiences?

My shows are theatre style, so they pay their money and listen…well most of the time. There’s always some dick-head who thinks he’s gonna talk while I am, they’re wrong, dead wrong.

Who are the current big drag stars Down Under right now, apart from yourself OF COURSE?

It’s hard to separate myself from this question. I’ve been watching the same faces, (although a little more stretched) over here for years: Miss Candy, Paris, Millie Minogue and Rita La Coqe Eater. They’re fun loving girls, and a few of them were extras in Cocoon.

And who are your UK favourites?

I grew up watching Sandra – that potty mouth we all know and love. And Miss Jason and Drag With No Name are always worth a trip to Brighton and beyond to see. BUT if I don’t say Rose Garden I’ll have no accommodation in London, so ROSE GARDEN – she makes me laugh (at her, not with her).

• Dolly’s welcome and leaving party are at Halfway to Heaven: Sunday’s July 17th & Aug 15th.

Other dates & venues are: