BIG JAY put the sparkle into the spooky season when they returned to their Reading residency venue for a Hallowe’en special.
Bar 77 came alive with ghosts, ghouls, and glamour for the regular drag showcase, as the hellish host kicked things into gear.
Big Jay began with a lipsync to R.I.P. by the Boulet Brothers before the first guest of the evening, Dorian Gay, took to the stage.
Dorian Gay served a proto-Frankenstein’s monster look with a bandaged torso and performed to Rina Sawayama’s song Frankenstein.
Next up was Lentil Pulse, whose portrayal of Death included a two-tone black and blonde wig, black detailed dress and a string of pearls.
They served a sultry lipsync to AC/DC’s Highway to Hell, punctuated with their signature comedic moments.
Pump King gave the final guest performance of the first part, appearing as Dracula, donning with a dark cape, leather slacks, and an open-necked chemise with a frilled collar, complete with a ginger mullet and fangs.
Pump King served an effervescent, striking lipsync to Brian David Gilbert’s reimagining of ABBA’s Lay All Your Love On Me.
Big Jay opened the second part of the show with a haunting and emotional performance to Sia’s Breathe Me, followed by the audience costume competition.
After some strong contenders strutted their stuff, including a draggy Danny Zuko, and a Genghar from the Pokémon franchise.
Lentil Pulse returned for a performance during which they took the names of audience members and assigned them their fate: heaven or hell.
They then broke into a more political lipsync and a performance to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5.
Mistress Lezmerelda was invited to give an impromptu vocal cover of Sweet Transvestite from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Pump King followed with a lipsync to Rob Zombie’s Dracula, oozing attitude and angst.
Big Jay closed the second part with another emotional lipsync to Ella Henderson’s Ghost.
The third and final part opened with a surprise proposal by a member of the audience to their partner, followed by a heartfelt and introspective lipsync by Lentil Pulse along to The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel.
Pump King, who was celebrating their first anniversary as a drag performer, closed the guest performances with an effervescent performance to Sophie Ellis Bexter’s Murder on the Dancefloor.
Big Jay shut the show down with a performance of fan-favourite Cane Shuga by Glass Animals.
Pump King said following the event: “October 2 was the anniversary of me beginning to perform in drag, after I came to one of Big Jay’s shows last year.
“They said that I should get into drag and I did it almost instantly– I’ve performed every month since.
“I’m pretty spooky, and I love Hallowe’en, so I love any excuse to cover myself in blood and perform.”
