ON SATURDAY, Reading’s Blue Collar Corner held the latest of its regular drag brunch events as Pride Month gets underway in earnest.
Amber Rose Turner took up hosting duties and brought an abundance of drag talent to the stage, introducing fellow performers Black Mamba and Reading’s own drag phenomenon, Duac.
After numbers from the host, Black Mamba showed their usual flair and affinity for a costume change with fierce lipsyncs for which they have become renowned.
The final part of the show saw Duac bring their usual unpredictability and refreshing humour when they performed a lipsync as Feathers McGraw, the villainous penguin from the Wallace and Gromit Franchise.
A particular highlight saw Duac removing the red rubber glove disguise before escaping up a stairwell with a cardboard revolver and a sack of loot.
Amber Rose Turner closed the show with a live vocal performance, singing a song dedicated to their partner.
The event was brought to Blue Collar by Iota Events’ Big Jay, who was recently announced as the organiser for Reading Pride’s Pride Xtra stage later this year.
Host Amber Rose Turner said events like brunches can often bridge a social divide: “A drag brunch marries two perfect concepts together.
“Everyone loves brunch, and drag is such a big part of pride and the LGBT+ community, so to sandwich them together, people will come no matter what, and enjoy it.”
Big Jay added: “Pride Month is a very American concept, and when those concepts influence our scene, we lose a bit of that character of British queerness.
“It’s very influenced by RuPaul and big companies with rainbow logos; small businesses and grassroots queer communities don’t get elevated in the same way.”
Despite this, Amber Rose said: “It has helped a lot of the LGBT+ community in general here, I feel.
“Many places are still really behind the times, and Big Jay is a big part of the picture in Reading.”
They continued: “It can boost our morale, boost our viewership and engagement, and while it can be on the nose, it gives people and excuse to start those conversations.”
Duac explained: “It’s especially so for people who have a really traditional view of drag; non-binary and trans performers aren’t always expected, but drag is more expansive than that.”
Big Jay added: “British drag is so much more about the personality, the humour, and the individual, rather than how big your wig is.”
Speaking of their plans for Reading Pride, they added: “Reading Pride is going to be a love letter to my journey through drag.
“I’ll be featuring everything that has got me to where I am, and I’m really excited to give everyone who’s helped me the platform they deserve.”
Amber Rose Turner and Duac will be joining Big Jay when they head up the Pride Xtra stage at Reading Pride’s Love Unites Festival in September.
(Headline image by Viola Tucks)
