Gay London Life | April '25 Edition - Magazine - Page 18
Cabaret
— bookers didn’t have much time
to travel and see new artists and
Sc
an
for
L o n d o n ’s l a t
es
tc
a
ba
shows. Consequently, artists who
re
te
were outside of the big cities, found
ve n
it incredibly difficult to penetrate the
ts
cabaret circuit.
“If you were based in Stoke like
me, bookers would go errrr, call us
when you’re not [cackles]. With Drag
Idol 2013, I just thought; I’d rather
be seen in Leeds, because if I’d
taken the Black Cap win in London,
I’d have gone a different route. So I
doesn’t know anything about climate
went to Leeds which then led me to
change? He’s not a scientist. Get me
Birmingham”, Divina explained.
a scientist who really understands
From the dawn of her career,
instead. And then let’s inform the
be seen and succeed on her own
politicians through that debate, rather
terms, as evidenced by the Drag
than the politicians informing us”.
Idol strategy.
When Drag Race UK success
Queen Of
Camp!
people, I wanted to get her reaction
fame came calling, the affable but
to the recent Supreme Court ruling
resolute queen remained true to
regarding trans rights and her
herself and the values that have
advice to others about where to go
shaped her.
from here.
Divina utilises her voice not
“We’ve been here before, we’ll
just to entertain, but to speak out
be here again. We have to organise
about injustice and inequality. She
and stand in solidarity with each
genuinely cares.
other. Trans rights are always the
Reflecting on becoming
canary in the coal mine.If we don’t
politically canny, Divina told me:
do something about it; engage with
“The 2008 financial crisis, was
politicians and argue properly, we
what really got me engaged in
know exactly where this leads.”
politics, particularly its effect on
Divina is currently touring the UK
our lives. I was looking at it and
with her new show ‘I Do Think’. The
thinking, this is like the Great
sole London date on the tour is at the
Depression. This is what happened
iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
then. They screwed everybody
“There will be some dancing,
over, ruined the world economy,
lots of singing, and lots and LOTS
and then those responsible were
of foolishness. It’s as close to a
not held to account.”
theatrical show as possible while still
frustrated by how the country is
By
Jason
Reid
In a similar vein, and given that
Divina is a staunch ally of trans
was achieved and mainstream
Like many others, Divina is
I first encountered Divina de
Campo in the early 2010s. She
was, and still is, a queen who
leaves a lasting impression.
climate change and let’s listen to them
Divina was doggedly determined to
currently being run.
“Unless our current government
being very much a cabaret”, the Drag
Race legend told me.
We wrapped up the interview
by talking about Divina’s love for
does something about rebalancing
The RVT and a certain empathetic
the books, in terms of the wealthiest
resident artist.
vs the poorest and actually tackling
“I love performing at The RVT. It’s
inequality rather than just doing
always a brilliant, brilliant audience.
some peripheral stuff, then there will
A venue that’s launched so many
The most enduring memory I have
In my experience, as an established
be even worse disengagement in
massive LGBTQ+ stars, with such a
of Divina from back then, is when
judge, turning a win down was
politics and distrust which in turn will
rich history. And then, of course, Myra
she entered Drag Idol at the famous
unprecedented.
lead to a rise in the far right. We can
DuBois performs there all the time -
already see it happening!”
and I am a MASSIVE AdMyra. I just
Black Cap in Camden. I was one
I began our conversation
of the judges. She blew us away
by reminiscing about Drag Idol
Our conversation leads us to
think she’s wonderful. I’ve performed
with captivating stage presence,
2013 and Divina revealed that her
the current standard of journalism,
at The RVT a couple of times before
breathtaking vocals, and a natural
strategy was “to be seen in more
analysis and debate, all of which
and I cannot wait to be back on that
flair for performing. Our decision
places and to not worry about
broadly shapes public opinion.
amazing stage!”
as judges was straightforward —
winning the competition”.
Divina won easily.
But to our utter bemusement,
At that time — pre-Drag Race
UK, when social media was in its
“We have a lot of reporters and
not enough journalists!”, Divina
Divina de Campo: I Do Think
exclaimed.
is at Royal Vauxhall Tavern on
she decided to turn the win down.
infancy as an effective marketing tool
“Why do we hear Nigel Farage
Everyone was completely stunned.
for artists, and the scene was thriving
talking about climate change when
18
Wednesday 7th May
@divinadecampo
