I began my 2017 gig schedule in one of the coolest venues I’ve ever been in – and I mean that in both terms of temperature and ‘wow that’s cool!’. The Britannia Panopticon is a culturally, historically and aesthetically significant place. Apparently it’s the oldest surviving music hall, built in the late 1880s and closed in 1938 just before the war. So barring the odd superficial embellishments here and there it is pretty much as it was when it closed its doors to the public all those years ago.
I was there for an evening of drag, an event amusingly titled ‘Dragopticon’. It’s my first such billing and I admit I was a tad apprehensive. Most people involved with it hadn’t seen me before so I hoped I’d be able to get through it all without making an arse of myself. I really enjoyed rambling about backstage surrounded by top hats, corsets, bric-a-brac, rolls of pianola paper (if that’s even how you refer to them). The host Alana Duvey immediately put me at ease and I met the others one by one who are all part of Glasgow’s thriving drag scene. What a beautiful and inventive bunch! My fellow cast members included…
Alana Duvey herself
Dharma Geddon
Ru Jazzle
CJ Banks
and
Ann Phetimine
The format was that we all got 2 performances, 1 in each half, and I was truly blown away by them. The whole gig is up on Youtube having been filmed by an eager audience member. Here are links to my 2 sets…
My wife and sister came along as did my old friend Rachel and her brother Stuart. They had a blast too and were seriously talking about attending the next one. A lady took professional photos of everyones performances as well which I shall share here also. I took them from Facebook so the quality is not so great. She goes by the name Galactic Carnival so I thank her most graciously for the images and for letting me use them.
I even got to debut a new song called ‘Star Wars Pants’. A joyous celebration of my Star Wars underwear. Well I hadn’t intended to but I stupidly mentioned it on mic and I was cajoled into doing it. Also I was most pleased to see a lady called Carrianne and her friend pop along to support me. She’s a lovely lady I encountered at Queer Theory a few months back who graciously leant me her plectrum earring as I was plectrumless at the time. Brilliant stuff!
I also managed a few amateurish snaps of my own after I got ready and was hanging about backstage…
There was a milestone as well a few days ago on the 5th of February. The anniversary of my first gig! I sure have came a long way since that first outing. Here’s to another year 🙂
Tele Custom I note. Squire or genuine Fender?
Indeed it is, it plays beautifully! Genuine Fender though someone pointed it that’s Mexican so apparently isn’t real. I choose not to believe them 😄
Nice. Mine is a black Squire though I rarely play it favouring either of my Takamines.
Ooh Takamines, I can understand that. Beautiful beasts that they are! I don’t deserve one of them 😄
Oh gosh, you’re too sweet. We were happy to be there and thrilled to hear you perform again!
Thank you! I had an excellent time, excited to go back therem soon. I’ve been asked back for The Big Varietè in April. Would you mind if I include a link to your post in my post? X
Oh, go for it! When is the Big Varietè? If my friends are visiting at the time I’d love to bring them.
I think it’s Saturday the 15th April so I’m looking forward to that. I hope you have a relatively stress free week X
Ah, my friends will have come and gone, but I’ve marked it in my diary!
It’s all relative, and so far so good 🙂 Congrats on that other show, that green dress look was perfection.
Thank you so much! I love that dress – it has pockets!!! 😀
Wow what an amazing experience for you! Sounds like you had a blast 😀
It was brilliant thank you, I’ve been invited back to the venue in April so hopefully I’ll take pictures of the place in general! X
Oh, Anna! I am so happy for you 🙂 The venue looks amazing and you are absolutely on fire!!
Thank you! It was a fascinating place and with so much history. To tread the same boards that Chaplin or Stan Laurel was a thrill. Need to photograph more of my surroundings next time though! X
Epic!
That looks bloody awesome fun! 😀
Wow! What a night. Sounds like a blast. You look SO happy and alive! 🙂 I’m sure I’m not the first to notice or comment on this, but Dharma Geddon looks a lot like Detox!!
It was bloody awesome thank you! I’ve got a lot on in the coming months so may very well get sick of dresses by the summer lol 😄. My ignorance has kicked in – have to google Detox 😉 X
Let me know what you think when you do. Detox was on Rupaul’s Drag Race twice I believe. AMAZING. 🙂
Oh aye I see what you mean! 😉