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Scene from the Sofa – Five minutes with… Miss Penny

Graham Robson April 11, 2020

Lover of vodka and gorger of Greggs, Miss Penny‘s shows are filled to the brim with quick wit, amazing live vocals, class, comedy patter and audience participation… Here, she chats to Graham Robson about returning to humble roots, her plans for when lockdown is over and what she’s been doing to keep her hands and liver busy…

Hey Penny, what have you been up to? 

Well I’ve been relegated to a house in a small province of Bearwood, missing the chateau I usually reside in. So I’ve had to go back to my humble roots and cook, clean and even clean the toilet…

I have been doing some live feeds for the public’s visual experience –  every Wednesday for Cards and Cabaret and every Saturday for Miss Penny’s Pennytentiary.

What’s the response been like? 

Response had been AMAZING! Regular faces and some new, friends I haven’t seen or spoke to in a while. I’ve tried to make most of it as interactive as possible. But the feeds move so quick I don’t get chance to chat or mention everyone lol.

How does it compare with stage work? 

It’s very strange and no where near as good as being on the stage in front of a live audience. There is obviously no round of applause (but some are used to that 😉), so that can be weird and no titters, giggles or the muttering as someone orders drinks etc… But it’s about making use of what you have. So I say to use the heart button as a form of applause.

Also there tends to be delays or distortion occasionally but that is due to so many using the cyberspace.

I also miss that ‘one’ we get in a crowd that tries to butt in or shout something they deem ‘witty’, gives the chance to throw some shade.

The drag queens have been busy on Facebook etc…

OMG there’s loads. Us queens is the Midlands have set up our page, Midlands Drag TV Live (go and have a gander), with a weekly news sheet with who is on at what time and what day. We have tried to do our best not to clash with each other so we all get a slice of the pie, so to speak. There are the queens in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton and all over doing live shows online so go have a mooch.

Any tips to keep us busy while in lockdown? 

Pornhub, Cam4 to name just a few … but otherwise why not decorate, empty those cupboards you’ve been putting off for years, do tax returns, take up a hobby, ie learn a language or practice making cocktails (excuse to have a bevy), tackle that garden but MORE IMPORTANTLY support your queens on their live feeds hehehe.

What are your plans for when this is all over?

To hold a charity event for the NHS and food bank (already sorted half of it) and after that get back to the grind of whoring and touring the length and breadth of the UK and Europe. I love my work and that keeps me sane. I think that’s what most of us actually want. 

What do you miss the most?

Social interaction, usually in a darkened room or one of those heath spas. I think we actually take each other for granted and this kind of situation makes you rethink and re-evaluated past arguments, grudges and the like. I miss the buzz of a bar, dining out at The Ritz…

Any words of wisdom to keep us going?

Try not to live in fear! Stay as sane and as active as you can to keep yourself occupied. Mental health will be hit hard with this. Be patient with people you live with, remember to talk if there is a problem. But stay strong and united. We will get through this!

Connect with Miss Penny on Facebook and Instagram!  

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