Topsie Redfern – The People Who Shaped Me

Jason Reid talks inspirations and icons with drag darling Topsie Redfern


We all have those special people in our lives who have been there at just the right time to positively impact our journey through life, almost as though the universe has brought about those encounters, or those we’ve never even come into contact with who have enriched our outlook and thinking.

This week, esteemed cabaret artist, West End & fringe actor, QX Cabaret Awards nominee, and all-round nice queen Nathan Kiley aka Topsie Redfern tells us about the people who shaped them… 


My Mum

Our parents perhaps shape us the most, and I have a particularly fabulous mum. She herself was a professional cabaret artist so it’s in the blood. She quite literally ‘shapes’ me – before she retired, she was working for a cosmetic surgery company and would ‘appropriate’ silicone implants on a regular basis, so you could say I get my tits from my mum.

Lady LaRue

About nine years ago I rented a room from the late, great Stephen aka Lady LaRue, when I was playing Mary Sunshine in the musical Chicago in the West End. She persuaded me to start doing drag cabaret and to enter Drag Idol. She mentored me through the whole competition. The rest is her-story. 

Michael Ball

I am the biggest musical theatre geek. I remember seeing Michael Ball in Les Misérables on a school trip when I was 11-years-old. On the bus on the way home to Yorkshire I felt giddy with exhilaration, and right there and then I just knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up. Making my West End debut was a dream come true and I am eternally grateful that I get to earn a living performing.

Joan Collins

Growing up and seeing sequin-clad, shoulder-padded, big-haired, beautiful and powerful women like Joan Collins, and androgynous, new-romantic pop icons really informed Topsie’s aesthetic. As a kid it made me want to prance around being shiny and fabulous. Real life was far too dull. 

Mrs G

We all need that one inspirational teacher. Mine was a teacher at school who ran the choir in her free time. She had the most beautiful soprano voice, but had followed a career in teaching languages rather than opera – she really believed in me and told me that if I wanted to be a performer I really, really had to go for it. I don’t think I would be doing what I’m doing today without her.

Topsie

Performing as Topsie has changed me – Nathan – as a person. Topsie has made me embrace and love the aspects of myself that I used to be ashamed of. Topsie has banished my internalised homophobia. Also, I wasn’t really ‘on the scene’ before Topsie, and I love being part of our big and beautiful queer community.

Topsie Redfern performs at CellarDoor, Wellington Street, WC2E 7DN

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