Jason Reid talks to Marsha Mallow about Lallies by the Common

As well as performing week in and week out, ebullient drag star Marsha Mallow has been working hard behind the scenes of late on a brand new drag cabaret retrospective. Marsha found some time in her busy schedule to chat to our very own cabaret aficionado Jason Reid about Lallies by the Common, which comes to the Two Brewers this July…

Hello Marsha! How’s your summer going?

Hi Jason, it’s been a busy one! And there’s no sign of me slowing down any time soon with several big Pride events still to come! I’ve had some amazing gigs so far, in places you normally wouldn’t see me, and have met some gorgeous people along the way.

So tell us about Lallies by the Common! How did it all come about, and where did you get the idea?

I’ve been doing drag for 9 years now, and during that time I’ve heard so many stories of the greats whilst in dressing rooms all over the UK. I wanted to make sure that these stories were shared with not only the people who remember the good old days but also with those who may not have been privileged enough to have seen queens like Mrs Shufflewick or The Trollettes in action. The lightbulb moment to turn it into a full production was during the birthday celebrations of the Queen’s Arms in Brighton — I shared the idea with them, and they were very excited to give me a platform to really flesh it out. Alongside my pal Charli we had to go through hundreds of videos and pick the ones that show off the artists at their best, and it wasn’t boring for one second.

How are you finding devising and producing a show compared to performing?

With a show like Lallies you need to get the tone right as it’s a tribute to a time of drag when gay liberation was only just starting, and a lot of people were sick and dying as a result of AIDS which was so often coupled with horrendous stigma. Drag was true escapism for people going through a really horrible time. So not only did I want the show to be fun, but I wanted it to be educational for those who really don’t realise how dangerous it was just to walk down the street at night back then. I do, of course, get to mention about this in my regular drag shows during Pride Month and World AIDS Day, but Lallies really is a big thank you to those who fought to give me the freedom I have today and a dedication to my fellow drag sisters and their friends who are sadly no longer with us.

Let’s dig into the details. How is Lallies different from other drag retrospectives? And who is it for?

Lallies is what I like to call a masterclass from just some of the best drag artists of times gone by. Not only do we have videos of their performances but we also have stories told by queens who are still working to this day, who reminisce about their friends the only way they can: by telling hilarious stories about how they made an impact on the drag circuit everywhere they went. We also have an interactive element with lots of dancing, singing and complete joy which is only a taster of what people like Regina and Miss Jason would bring.

Tell us about the use of old clips and what that adds.

Well, I really wanted to make it about them! The idea came from me singing songs they were known for but then i thought: why not just let them perform? I have worked so hard improving the video quality and the audio so it really feels like you are back watching them, alongside the additional sound and lighting provided expertly by DJ Demon and my pal Ross. It really is an immersive experience.

Which living drag artists have contributed and why are they included?

When you work alongside living legends, it’s only right to include them. I have cackled so many times listening to Mrs Moore talk about when she was part of the Dolly Mixtures, or when Dave Lynn regales me with stories about Mrs Shufflewick. Notably Lola Lasagne and David Dale have just been so generous with their stories and knowledge. These stories are too good not to be shared, and in turn that’s how the queens I have picked are part of the line-up.

Which of these artists, living and dead, have influenced you?

All of them in their own way have played a part in influencing me as an artist. If they didnt at the beginning they certainly have now. Everyone knows how much Miss Jason became a part of my life and how much he inspired me. Then you look at someone like Sandra Hush who was pure opulence but wasn’t scared to be silly; then there’s people like Phil Starr and Dockyard Doris who were the masters of one-liners. It’s hard not to be inspired when you watch these acts because they truly were masters of their craft.

You’re a young performer with old school stylings. Is that something you slipped into organically or was it a conscious decision on your part?

When I was younger, especially during the Drag Idol days I had to really think about what my act was and what I wanted to share with an audience. But I took it way too seriously and wanted to show everything I could do within a ten minute timeframe. When I then started doing guest spots with CK, Rose Garden and Baga Chipz, I really relaxed into it and found solid ground with talking to the audience, singing and being silly. Now after 9 years, people start to quote me and know when to dance and shout out — it’s just the most joyous thing. Patience has really been a virtue for me.

What would you say makes for a good old school drag artist in the modern era?

Humour has changed a lot but the premise is still there: if you are going to take the mickey out of someone be sure to do it with a wink and a nudge and make sure you have the backbone to also take the mickey out of yourself. Songs have changed as well but the greats are still the greats. The only thing I would say is our look has changed a lot over the years because we now have access to so much more than what the acts of the 80’s would’ve had.

If you could zap back in time any watch two shows live, who would you pick and why?  

It’s like picking your favourite sweet! I have heard there was nothing quite like a Regina Fong show — so to be able to go back and watch her perform would be an honour. I’d also loved to have seen LSD do their full show, and the Trollettes back in the day high-kicking and belting!

What would you say to critics of old school scene drag who have been brought up on Drag Race?

There was such a stigma with drag queens back in those days and in some ways there still is; but I don’t think people realise how much we owe to the queens before us. Drag was always seen as a lesser art form. Drag was a very marmite part of our community. People don’t realise that without these amazing queens fundraising for people living with HIV/AIDS, maybe we wouldn’t have made the strides we have done. Without those sequins and diamantés at the front of pride marches up and down the country, maybe we wouldn’t have turned as many heads and hearts. Without the queens working every week to entertain us, maybe the gay scene would be a lot smaller than it is now. This show gives you just a taster of the mark they made in the UK’s LGBTQIA+ history.

Should there be any limits on comedy and bawdy repartee?

At my shows we often discuss everything, even the very taboo subjects that’s some acts might not touch. Of course most of us know what’s right and what’s wrong in this world. But sadly some people don’t, and I just love the idea of correcting people with a bit of sarcasm and charm. When everything becomes too serious I suddenly turn into the drunken aunty and make light of a dark situation and unite the audience the only way I know how — with a good boogie!

Why is this show important to you?

Legacy and memories are so important to me. So many changes have happened since lockdown and I moved to Brighton; some were for the better and some for the worse. But I often sit and ponder if I left this world now what kind of impact do I think I have made? Was I a good person? Was I kind? Was I honest? And did I help inspire?

Countless others before me have dedicated their lives to a craft that is so skilled. Cabaret is pantomime and about smiling through some really tough times. People don’t realise how much you sacrifice for your own success. And after reading countless books and articles, watching hours of footage and seeing pictures from the past 50 years of these incredible acts I felt like their stories needed to be told. I feel like people need to know about these amazing humans and the mark they have left on this world. I feel so proud to have created a show that does this and I hope it inspires new acts as these acts have inspired me.

What the plan for Lallies in the future?

So many ideas have popped into my head. There’s talks about turning it into a musical. There’s talks about creating an exhibition for Pride Month next year. If anyone has any thoughts I’m happy to hear them. All I know is I want to keep working on it.

Lallies by the Common is on Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th July at Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High St, SW4 7UJ.

For more info and tickets, click here.