ONE OF Reading’s drag monarchs Big Jay celebrated a year in drag at Bar 77, highlighting talented local performers.
Since they began performing drag a year ago, Big Jay has gone on to host a number of events around Reading’s drag scene, including monthly Reading’s Got Drag competitions and a residency at the venue.
At their celebration event, Big Jay welcomed fellow performers Grace Anatomy, Lujane Oud, Duac, Mess-Her Morgan, and Sheer Obssession.
Lujane Oud performed belly dancing, followed by five minutes of stand-up comedy, and concluded with a lipsync along to Shakira.
Duac performed a stirring lipsynch while sketching impressionist portraits onto their own outfit.
Cairo Ali sang a live cover of Amy Winehouse’s rendition of Valerie and hosted a version of higher or lower with members of the audience.
The audience also participated in a drag competition of their own, with three crowd members collecting assorted items of clothing to build a drag persona and take part in a runway walk.
Sheer Obssession was credited with being Big Jay’s reason for beginning performing, with them saying that Sheer Obsession had “reignited the drag scene in Reading.”
Speaking at the event, Sheer Obsession said: “It feels incredible to be able to reach out to people who are non-binary, who wants to do the stuff that I was doing in a place where I felt like there was no one else doing it.
“To have even one person who gets what you’re doing is just as incredible.”
Sheer Obsession is also one of the co-founders of the art collective Double Okay, which worked with Big Jay on providing the first Trans Pride event in Reading last month.
Speaking of the drag scene in Reading, they said: “There has been drag happening here for ages, definitely, but there wasn’t necessarily spaces that I felt comfortable to be in as a trans, non-binary person.
“For me, it was about creating that space out and also working with the community more generally, which is what I do.”
As well as Sheer Obsession, Big Jay also credited Bar 77, part of The Outlook on King’s Road, with their performing: “I don’t think I’d have been able to be myself as much.
“Bar 77 gives me space– there’s so many micro-aggressions and so much imposter syndrome, which honestly makes me terrified to be myself on a daily basis.
“But we keep on going, because if I didn’t people would be disappointed, and that’s the last thing I want.”
Speaking of what the future holds for Big Jay, they said: “I’m gonna get drag everywhere possible in Reading.
“It can be difficult, because there is some animosity in Reading, but I’m not confrontational, and all I want is to be happy.
“I’m going to keep on doing what makes me happy, despite what the haters say.”
