We had a chat with Zoe Promiscuous and Pfizer Manelli, two of the hosts of our musical-themed Drag Brunch on 27 Jul at our in-house restaurant, Prelude. From causing chaos to belting tunes at 10am, find out what gives these Qqueens their glamour!
Hi both! Can you tell us a little about yourselves?
Zoe: I’m Zoe Promiscuous, Norwich’s Queen of Glamour. I’ve been doing drag now for almost nine years and have performed all over the country and overseas. I work in the cabaret scene as a live vocalist and have my own distinct style of lip-syncing.
Pfizer: Pfizer Manelli is the camp Queen of Comedy here in Norfolk! I’m known for my quick wit and comic timing. No audience member is safe when I’ve got a microphone in my hand. I often abandon my routine to roast and jest with an audience member who’s caught my eye!
Can you tell us about the local drag scene in Norfolk and Norwich?
Zoe: The drag scene in Norwich is one of the wildest in the entire country! There are so many different types of drag shows all over the city, which is great because there is always something to see on any given weekend.
Pfizer: In Norfolk, there is a wide range of drag queens, kings and things! All types are showcased at various venues across Norfolk, and there is something for everyone.
Tell us what to expect from your Pride event at Norwich Theatre.
Zoe: Hosting last year’s Pride at Norwich Theatre was fantastic, and we saw so many fabulous performers perform in the Long Bar. This year, starting with our musical-themed brunch, we will be having a celebration from the off, and continuing with some of Norwich’s finest talent in the long bar!
Pfizer: If you’re joining us for brunch, expect to see Zoe and me causing chaos and belting show tunes at 10am (the horror)! Ultimately, it’s a super fun, family-friendly event with a couple of little innuendos slipped in for the adults.
What’s your favourite musical?
Zoe: My favourite musical by far has to be Rent. I connected with the story so much as a young queer kid, and every song is fantastic. I also love The Rocky Horror Show, which inspired a lot of what I put into my drag today!
Pfizer: Growing up I discovered The Rocky Horror Show, which has been a staple throughout my adult life. I have seen it many times both in Norwich and the West End. The tagline ‘Don’t Dream It, Be It’ should be carried day to day to guide everyone on their own paths.
What’s your favourite thing to have for brunch?
Zoe: I like to start off the day like any good drag queen, with a Bloody Mary followed by a Mimosa!
Pfizer: I love a fry up, as you can tell by how close to popping my corset is! However, I’ve recently become obsessed with Greek yoghurt and granola.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Zoe: I love anything old glamour, taking particular inspiration from the biggest divas, such as Eartha Kitt and Liza Minelli.
Pfizer: I usually perform songs that I wouldn’t be able to without the wig and make-up, but most of my act is comedy, which I take huge inspiration from the likes of the late greats Lily Savage and Dame Edna Everage.
What is the importance of providing spaces for local drag performers?
Zoe: Drag performers are the voices of the Queer community. We are the ones who speak up and educate on behalf of anyone LGBT+. It’s important for us to be in any space so we can show that Pride is about love and light. We use drag performances as a way to get that message across, which is paramount in today’s climate.
Pfizer: It gives a platform to those who may not have the access to it. I started in local amateur theatre for years and years before having the chance to perform in other venues professionally. Drag is for everyone, however, not everyone gets a chance to showcase it. Who knows, you might see the next big thing!
What does pride mean to you?
Zoe: Pride means everything to me. It’s a shame that in 2024, we are in need of protest, but we still have a long way to go in the fight for equality. As a voice for the community, it is so important to me that we bring light to current issues the world has with LGBT+ people so that our trans siblings can get the same rights as anyone else so that queer people aren’t facing hate crime in the streets, just so that we can live in one unity. Love is the message.
Pfizer: Pride is about community and a chance for everyone to forget their troubles for a day and celebrate, whilst still not forgetting the struggles and the protest so far.
We are exploring kindness through creativity this season. How do you weave kindness into your art?
Zoe: Most performances, I do have a hidden meaning that love is the message. Waving our flag and providing smiles and laughter is what it’s all about.
Pfizer: I leave every gig grateful and thankful to anyone who speaks to me in my act or during the evening, as without them, I’m just shouting at a brick wall, which is something you’d see down Prince of Wales Road at 3am on a Saturday. Each laugh I get from an audience member means so much to me. If I’ve ever had a bad day, I slap on a tiny amount of mascara, take my hair out of an Aldi bag for life, and she’s here, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful to anyone who supports me, more than I can ever express.
You can catch Zoe Promiscuous and Pfizer Manelli at our musical-themed Drag Brunch on 27 Jul for fun, food and festivities! Indulge in a mouthwatering brunch whilst you are being chaotically serenaded by your favourite musical hits. Then head along to the Long Bar at 12pm for even more free performances by local drag artists!
