The Boyz team are very sorry to report the death of Ruby Venezuela, one of the scene’s grand dames of drag. Brian Pearce, who performed as Ruby Venezuela, died last weekend after a period of illness.
Ruby Venezuela was best known for her residency at the historic Soho gay club Madame JoJo’s, owned by Paul Raymond, where she performed and directed for almost 10 years before setting up her own club Ruby’s on Gerrard Street. Madame JoJo’s was one of the first drag clubs where the acts sang and didn’t mime to records, and Ruby was joined on stage by top names like Lily Savage, Adrella, Regina Fong and the club’s famous Barbettes. The artist Beryl Cook was a friend and painted Ruby many times.
Ruby appeared on the cover of Boyz in August 1992 showing readers her green fingers from her home in south London.
At the time of the interview Ruby was performing her own show, Forty Years A Queen, at Madame JoJo’s and told us: “I’ve been Ruby for about 14 years now, Ruby Venezuela for the last seven of those. I’m not one of those people who thinks they’ll be a superstar. I’m just grateful for what’s happened so far – it’s fun – and I love entertaining people. I love making people laugh.”
Ruby Venezuela was a superstar to us. May she rest in peace.
Her Upstairs has closed
Last week the Boyz Award-winning cabaret bar Her Upstairs in Camden was forced to shut down at short notice and the bar is now closed for good. The self identifying queer space had been open for almost two years and built a reputation for finding and promoting new talent, with acts like Herr, Tayce, Cheryl Hole, Ophelia Love and many more, as well as working with more established names such as Myra DuBois, Holestar and Lady Lloyd. It was home to nights such as The Cocoa Butter Club, LADS and their hugely popular talent show Not Another Drag Competition. Everyone at Boyz wishes George, Meth, Joe and everyone who worked there the best of luck and we are sure they will be back in a new form soon.
Tracy Barlow and guests at The RVT
Drag Idol 2017 winner and drag degenerate Tracy Barlow takes to the stage at The RVT for a night of mayhem next Wednesday (29 Aug). Expect live music and cabaret made up of guests including the velvet-toned powerhouse Sadie Sinner The Songbird and ivory-tickling crooner Jim Lavender, while Tracy gets up to her weird and wacky ways. Doors open at 7pm, the show starts at 8pm and tickets are £8 from vauxhalltavern.com
Maurice arrives at Above The Stag Theatre
It may be a few weeks away yet, but it’s bound to be a popular show; Maurice arrives at the Above The Stag Theatre on Wednesday 12 September for a five and a half week run. A play by Roger Parsley and Andy Graham, adapted from E.M. Forster’s intensely personal novel, Maurice is a tale of passion, bravery and defiance, and offers a powerful condemnation of the repressive attitudes of British society. We’re also super excited because this production is directed by James Wilby, who played the title role in the 1987 Merchant Ivory film of the same name. Amazing, huh? Book your tickets now at abovethestag.com
Gear up for Gear’s 1st birthday
Fetish store Gear celebrates its 1st birthday with a special party at Mile End cruise club The Backstreet on Saturday (18 Aug). Gear cardholders will enjoy free entry from 10pm, along with beer, soft drinks and Jager shots, while dress code is leather, rubber or sportswear. And as it’s the store’s birthday week, the team will be celebrating all weekend with in-store events and special offers. Happy birthday guys!
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