Interview - Madame Mu Mu

Madame Mu Mu, welcome my dear to your first interview with us! To start when did you first discover that you wanted to do Drag?
Many years ago I used to manage Mu Mu before I left to work in London. One year, I believe 2008, I suggested to the owner that we encourage the staff to dress up for Halloween. He approved and the planets nudged towards their alignment. I dressed up as Dr Frank N. Furter. I believe this is where a lot of Drag starts. We really do owe a lot to the character of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I remember seeing it as a young teenager and loving the level of confidence the character embodied. So it happened and the night was a success. The owner of Mu Mu asked me to do it all the time but due to responsibilities of my, then job, I thought I would have a lot more to do. Drag doesn’t just happen. The expense put me off as well. From then on I dabbled in it when it was Halloween or a friends Birthday. I dressed up as Lady Gaga in Telephone with coke cans as rollers and even the seductive Miss Scarlett from Cluedo down in New Quay, Cornwall. Some might say, “It was a mess,” but to be honest, for me, it was creative and drag on a dime. I left my job as manager of Mu Mu in 2009 to go and work in Harrods and get a frontline education in high end fashion. 

How did you decide on your Drag name? 
Whilst working at Harrods I went from working as a brand specialist for Dolce and Gabbana, working on commission, to a job that would really take my journey in fashion to the next level. I was successful after a three-month internship and landed the job as buyers clerk for men’s contemporary buying. This later became senior buyers clerk and me moving from branded buying to product development and buying in the in house label, Harrods of London. There is a point to this I promise. Having taken this job in buying it meant a sizeable pay cut, not as glamourous as it sounds but it was worth it. The planets aligned a little more. I returned to Mu Mu working part time as a waiter and it was then 2011, that the owner told me about this cabaret restaurant he was opening. He wanted me to be the host and literally just mingle with the customers. Easy money and I got to dress up. 

I was working a job where my colleagues didn’t know what I did on the weekends, drag was too shocking for such a corporate world. I remember on the opening weekend, watching the clock tick closer to when I would have to run for the train, stood at a printer, printing buying reports, whilst underneath my suit, I was sporting layers of tights and control pants to save me time when I arrived at work. I looked around thinking no one knows what we really wear underneath our everyday clothes. It was an introduction to the many masks I would be wipe off after a crazy night of performance and dancing. 

I arrived, sweating, on the 23.11.2012, into my new job as the drag queen who would host and mingle with the customers of Madame Mu Mu as the Madame Mu Mu. 

Then it was just a part time job, that in all honesty I didn’t take seriously. I was tired from working ridiculous weeks, 60 hours plus, travelling to and from London and holding down a second job just to afford the travel. I wanted to climb further up that corporate ladder. Little did I know that just under two years later I would be presented with an opportunity that would allow an 11-year-old boys dream to come true.     

How did you come up with your Drag style and what were your influences?
At the beginning I didn’t have another drag artist to look up to so I focused on woman who inspired me through film and art. I did a mood board and pulled images from high end fashion shoots, like Tim Walker, and actresses like Isabella Rossellini from Death Becomes Her. However, the woman that really stole my heart and having read a book about her, Marchesa Luisa Casati, she would be the energy I would try and translate. She is by far one of my greatest inspirations. 

My style has changed over the years. A lot of people refer to their first time in drag as a mess, which I think it sad, as an artist I think it’s an important part of the journey. It is the development of a personality within you. Drag nowadays, especially within the community, I feel is way too judgemental and face tuned. That is not what art is about. Especially the art of drag.     

What is your go to lip sync song and why?
During my shows at Madame Mu Mu, with an amazing cast, I sing live and hopefully, do comedy justice. I DJ after till 2 a.m. whilst shaking some carcass and flicking some hoof with the customers, not so much these days. If a member of the audience reads someone or is simply giving off an energy I don’t like, I step down from the antique pulpit (it will make sense when you visit the venue) having pressed play on Alaska Thunderfucks song, Your Make Up Is Terrible. The audience love it. 

If I remember to pack them then I run upstairs and stuff a 12-inch dildo or furry cat, called Molly, into my body suit. I mingle and when the song, Circle of Life comes on I perform, pulling in a customer to help me give birth to either. The church pulpit becomes, Pride Rock. 

At the end of the night a song that is worth winding down to and saying good bye to the customers as they step away from the fantasy and fun into their bleak, beige society, I put on Hold On by Wilson Phillips. 

I end every set with the closing theme from, In The Night Garden. It’s not a lip sync but it’s a great way to tell the customers we are closed and its bed time.    

What one emoji represents your drag the best?
Face with Tears of Joy – I had to look that up on emojipedia – I’m getting old.

We first discovered you when you took part in Sophia Stardust’s weekly Instagram live shows over lockdown. How did covid change the way you did drag?  
To be honest, ever since I moved to this country in 2004 from Zimbabwe in Africa, this pandemic has been a welcomed break. I haven’t stopped working and allowed myself time to think about and process what I went through whilst living there. 

I did two shows during lockdown which were lovely but it was great to stop and take stock. Going forward, having realised, that my mental health needs to come first, I processed a lot over that period of lockdown and one day it will make, hopefully, a good book.  

 Also I am a massive believer in when you are presented with time you use it. I made costumes, styled wigs, did the odd look here and there, completed work and projects for my business, that was a fete in itself to make it survive. I love to garden and I exercised. I did stuff without having the worries of, not enough hours in the day. 

I am super lucky that I still have a job to go to that supports that dream I touched on earlier. 

If anything it’s going to make the areas I am creative in, become more creative. Creative frustration is something I struggle to deal with so may I continue to make sure I don’t experience it.  

“If it was easy then everyone would be doing it. If you want it, you have to work for it. Going in with an attitude and not wanting to sweat, bleed or cry for your dream, it won’t happen. You are only cheating yourself.”

Now we must talk about the Mu Mu Experience! What is it and how can people get involved?  Mu Mu Experience is owned by a family called the O’Quigleys. The brains behind it is Ciaran. The first time I met him he complimented me on my teeth and said he wanted me to work behind his bar. He then asked me to come and see the toilets with him. My friend and I tried to sneak out the bar but were both dragged in. I will let you reader’s imagination go wild. Let’s just say I took the job back in 2005. He should have a camera following him as he’s an interesting character. Ciaran has been in the hospitality trade for years but his true passion is acting.

Mu Mu is named after his daughter Molly. It has grown into a little empire at the top of Week Street, Maidstone, a short walk from Maidstone East train station. It has two restaurants, Fifi’s Brasserie (named after the owner’s wife’s Grandmother) and Madame Mu Mu. A nightclub where people can book a booth and enjoy a night with their friends. A private suite which is also for hire but becomes another night club on the weekends playing a different genre of music. A cocktail bar where you can get some amazing tailored made drinks. The Laundry Room, book a spin now and find out what’s on the other side of the washing machines. As well as their newly opened Irish Pub, Nellie Gerkins (names after his daughter Sineal).

We do everything from great food and drink, cabaret, burlesque, tribute nights, bitchy bingo, soon to be karaoke brunch. Its honestly like a TARDIS and guarantees an experience. To book email – info@mumuexperience.com or call 01622 669 800 or visit www.mumuexperience.com     

What can people expect when coming to the show? 
Friday night is cabaret with dark humour, singing and dancing. We have some amazing people working with us. Due to government restrictions the cast has been cut back to fit new budgets. At the moment it is myself and the super talented, fire eating siren, Kitty Errington (Instagram - @Kate.Errington). 

Saturday night is burlesque or tribute with more dark humour, singing and dancing. The website lists all up and coming performances. We have the stunning and award winning international burlesque star Jeanie Wishes (Instagram - @Jeanie_Wishes). The red hot, sultry voice and cabaret heavy weight, from the Voice U.K. the one and only Ivy Paige (Instagram - @IvyPaigeOfficial). As well as tribute acts from Tina Turner, Abba Chique, Motown and Soul and the Legends Show. 

Depending on the night you book you are guaranteed some form of enjoyment whilst enjoying a three course meal and show. Hopefully the dancing aspect of this changes soon so people can really enjoy themselves. 

Sundays we do Bitchy Bingo, at the moment by myself, however, I do miss my bingo buddy Sophia Stardust who is death dropping her way to the top or, god forbid, a knee replacement. She is fearless. 

I mentioned earlier that we will soon be doing Karaoke Brunch with myself on Saturdays. On Sundays after Bitchy Bingo customers will then be taken to Nellie Gerkins for Karaoke with Nellie…watch this space.

Now you, busy, busy, lady, Drag isn’t the only thing you do, tell us a little bit about Julian Garner Headwear?
At the age of eleven, whilst living in Zimbabwe, I came up with the idea of having a label called Julian Garner. Back when I was working part time as a drag artist and in London an opportunity presented itself, an act didn’t turn up, I stepped in and the planets aligned. This meant I could focus on this dream whilst doing drag to support it. 

Julian Garner Headwear is my millinery business. I make handmade, luxurious hats from my little studio in Maidstone. From ready to wear to theatre or stage. My headwear has been worn by members of the Royal Family, seen in Vogue and is currently stocked at Fenwick on New Bond Street. I also give back where I can with a portion of profits from the sales of certain styles going to the World Land Trust. My website is www.JulianGarner.com but for everyday updates and news check out @JulianGarnerHeadwear on Instagram. 

Do you find it hard balancing the two? 
Sometimes I get tired but life is way too short. I experienced a death in the family at a young age so its where, this need to use time to my advantage comes from.

Also if it was easy then everyone would be doing it. If you want it, you have to work for it. Going in with an attitude and not wanting to sweat, bleed or cry for your dream, it won’t happen. You are only cheating yourself. 

A to do list is key as well as a “running to do list” and every week is planned out. I’ve learnt to not care too much if I don’t complete work within a day because it’s on my list and planned in.

Back to drag... RuPauls Drag Race has pushed drag into the mainstream however, there is more to drag. Why is supporting local drag important? 
There is way more to drag and whether it is on your door step or you have to travel to it, supporting a creative, artist or performer is super important. Why anyone would want to live in a beige society is beyond me. A friend once gave me a card and on the front it said, “Adventure, lives outside your tent!” Personally for me, I want to live a life where I see colours and all walks of life and culture. It fills me with so much inspiration but most importantly an education and knowledge of the world around me.  

What one Queen would you like to give a shout out to? 
I want to give a shout out to any Queen out there who fears the future and needs the courage to take the step. I say to them, don’t paddle in your fear, swim in it. 

What does the future hold for you?
My balls are hairy not crystal but I will say, I’m going to go as far as I can see and when I get there, I will see further. 

 Any last shout outs? 
My beautiful partner, Rob Parham, also known as @Byron.Power on Instagram. A homoerotic/ comic artist and a humanist. Truly a beautiful soul.