INTERVIEW: Brighton's very own Queen Flea, Lydia L'Scabies says "I believe all drag performers are parasites, I just happen to admit it"

Ladies and gentleman, theys and thems, welcome to the Brighton & Hove residents' community corner series celebrating our city’s bold drag artists and boundary breaking performers! I wanted to create a series that goes beyond the glam with our legendary and local queer performers so we can all get to know them more because erm, why not?!

This week, we’re joined by Brighton's very own Queen Flea, suspected arsonist and general mischievous nuisance: Lydia L'Scabies.

If this is only the first interview of my centrestage series that you've stumbled across and you want to catch up on the others, don't panic! You can catch up HERE and next week I'll be yapping with Cabaret Queen: Dolly Diamond.

But today, it’s all eyes on Lydia L'Scabies so let’s dive in head first!

Oh heyyy Lydia, how are you doing?!

I'm just peachy, my darling, having an absolute ball considering how terrible everything is! 

For our readers who haven't had the absolute delight of seeing you perform yet, can you give us a little intro and what pronouns do you go by, both in and out of drag?

My name is Lydia L'Scabies, putting the art in tart, the pro in prolapse, and the fun gal in fungal infection. I'm Brighton's very own Queen Flea, suspected arsonist and general mischievous nuisance.

When the monster is out and about it's she/her, when my potion has worn off, it's they/them.

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I'd love to know how your drag name came to be? 

Ah, a very good question! I was going to be called Lydia if I was assigned female at birth, this always chilled me growing up for some reason. I had an unshakeable feeling I would have been some kind of demonic version of Angelica Pickles.

Scabies because I believe all drag performers are parasites, I just happen to admit it, and L for alliteration. 

How did you first get into the world of drag and how long have you been doing it now?

I'm very proud to say this year is my 12^th year being a professional idiot and much like many things, it was a happy accident!

I did a few essays about the fabrication of performer persona at university, with a focus on drag, and my tutor highlighted my knowledge and suggested I gave it a go and here we are.

Do you have any Brighton queens you're especially fond of?

I'm bound by blood oath to mention my darling sister, and stage wife, Rococo Chanel and by proxy, I'd have to say Alfie Ordinary as the three of us arguably all grew up doing it together.

As someone who's made it onto the circuit as of the last two years, I'd also have to say Sally Vate (protect her at all costs) Ophelia Payne, and Portia De Fosse and many others, who I've had the privilege of working with at the Queens Arms doing the by monthly chaotic musicals with. 

Can you tell our readers about The Greyscale Goddesses aka Glenda & Rita?

Oh, those two! I haven't met them which is strange as we work a lot of the same places, or at least have done, but they sound great, good for them! You should follow them on Instagram....

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They are immensely talented, highly amusing and I dare say, quite clever! 

What’s something people always get wrong about you?

I didn't actually burn down the Royal Albion Hotel. And I got fired four times from Revenge, not 10. I've also heard some quite alarming impersonations of me that make me sound like some kind of crone from Crawley.

Would you say the drag scene in Brighton leans more toward activism, pure entertainment or a delicious mix of both?

Oh, for sure some great acts in this town offer escapism and straight up gorgeous entertainment, but I'd definitely say some scenes in Brighton combine the two. I do value that in these uncertain times, some stuff is arguably heavier in the way its presented which can be cool but also can be a bummer, I can't lie.

I dare say people are very brave letting me have a mic nowadays, I find myself getting tooth-decayingly sweet yet confrontational at some gigs over some subjects, particularly if I clock someone in Harry Potter merch or a red cap with white text on it (IYKYK). I do enjoy it when people find my smile threatening. 

How has being part of the drag scene shaped your connection to the LGBTQ+ community and what role do you think drag plays in creating visibility and empowerment?

I definitely laugh at how I used to present myself before drag! I was trying way too hard to be an acceptable and palatable gay man, which obviously was not who I was.

Being a part of the community, and indeed the drag community, really does help you get the hell over yourself and give you perspective.

Of course, times are pretty scary so I completely understand why people are cautious travelling from gig to gig but I am more than happy to be visible and make the normies uncomfortable!

I'm privileged to say that there's something about my frowning face and militant stomping down the pavement that just makes people get out of my way.

What’s your most iconic stage moment-planned or totally accidental?

Not that I really do my lipsyncs anymore, I found myself putting all my best ones in my solo show Sex & The Sewer, but I would have to say it's the first time I did You Ruin Me by The Veronicas, (IYKYK).

Who's your crush of the day?! 

Jacob Elordi's Frankenstein. What can I say, I'm a monster fucker. 

Current fave song?

Wouldn't It Be Nice from the National Theatre's The Witches (musical) soundtrack. 

Where and when can our readers catch your next show?

Every Saturday you can get tickets for Buff Bingo Brunch at Revolution!

Glenda And Rita, I hear, are at the Chichester Festival Theatre on the 28th November at The Nest and they have their wonderful Christmas show I'm Dreaming Of A Black & White Christmas on the 20th December at the Ironworks Studios!

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