Our guide to Brighton Pride’s cabaret tent.
By Jason Reid
Widely regarded as the UK’s pre-eminent Pride event and festival; Brighton Pride is upon us once more. And, as always, the lineup looks incredible across the board. Drag powerhouse Lola Lasagne is the orchestrator and host of the Legend’s Cabaret Big Top, and this week they took time out to chat to me…
Hey Lola! What do you have in store for cabaret lovers planning to visit your big top, and how have preparations been going?
It’s all going swimmingly. Makeup brushes have been cleaned and new tights purchased. We have a show similar to Britney’s appearance last year, except we’ll be singing live and will actually know where we are. Its a fabulous mix of Brighton and beyond with some old favourites, new-queens-on-the-block and, of course, a smashing finale.
Speaking of big tops; will Miss Jason be performing with Maisie Trollette this year?
Absolutely! They go together so well. Like fish and chips, strawberries and cream… Fred and Rosemary West. Seriously though, 4pm is their time. Slap-bang in the middle of the day when the park is rammed and the atmosphere just perfect. They sum up so much of Brighton and the UK’s cabaret circuit, and they’re quite rightly adored.
What’s your favourite part of the day?
Normally having that first wee after six hours in drag. Also, the reaction Maisie receives each year is quite special. But seeing the Legends logo on the stage and remembering that it wouldn’t be possible without the constant support of Tony Chapman (Legends owner). Year in and year out, that man has been quite wonderful in the money and support he gives to Pride and Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community in general.
You’re a steadfast advocate for LGBTQ+ cabaret in Brighton and recently you’ve been honoured for your community work. How does that feel and what keeps the passion burning?
With having big birthdays for both Lola and Stephen this year, the awards I’ve been given have been the icing on the cake. Whilst the day job is singing songs and cracking funnies, I’ve tried to use the stage and everything I do as Lola to help others, promote awareness, and fight for what I believe in. Being in Brighton and watching the LGBTQ+ scene grow – since I came out in the 80’s – has been a wonderful experience. I’ve learnt about myself through meeting so many people and learning that everyone has had to take a very different path to become the people they are now. And our scene is still so important as it needs to provide safe spaces for so many; so anything I can do to help venues, organisations or people to achieve that is worthwhile to me.
As Pride events across the world mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots this year, what will be at the forefront of your mind as you stand on that stage on Saturday and what should we be focussing on moving forward?
We need to protest again. We need to be those people in the Stonewall Inn, and say we’ve had enough. And we need to say it to our politicians. We’re still regarded as second-class citizens no matter how many laws there are in place for us to marry, adopt and live equally with partners. We’re being victimised, attacked, and killed. And nothing is being done about it. Those people in Westminster work for us and they need to put pressure on the cuts that are being made to the public sectors which are supposed to support everybody regardless of sex, gender, or race. I still see Prides as a protest just by the volume of people there who come from every walk of life. We make a statement by our presence and our acknowledgement of the meaning of Pride and its continued existence. And within our community we need to love ourselves more and stop infighting. We joke about the letters of our community being a triple word score in Scrabble, but we need to learn about acceptance just as much as everyone else.
Legends Cabaret Big Top
2.00pm – 4.00pm
• Lola Lasagne
• Sally Vate
• Stephanie Von Clitz
• Pat Clutcher
• Mrs Moore
• Dave Lynn
• Spice
• Drag With No Name.
4.00pm – 6.00pm
• Miss Jason &
Maisie Trollette
• Davina Sparkle
• Martha D’Arthur
• Rose Garden
• Son Of a Tutu.
6.00pm – 8.00pm
• Gabriella Parrish
• Kara Van Park
• Sandra
• Mary Mac.
Lola Lasagne hosts the Legends Cabaret Big Top in Preston Park, Brighton BN1 6SD on Saturday 3rd August.
