247. Maisie; movie review

 

MAISIE

Cert 15

76 mins

BBFC. advice: Contains strong language

Many years ago, I visited a student friend in Wigan and had a memorable night in the long-departed Clown's Bar.

I had never seen anything like it - a drag artiste suddenly leaping on to the bar and singing I am What I Am with great gusto.

However, on the rare occasion I have seen drag acts since, they have failed to hit the same mark.

And I am particularly bewildered by those who simply mime to the music. Surely, that's a bit like playing air guitar - any one can do it?

However, David Raven, aka Maisie Trolette, sings and, even at the age of 85, never forgets a word.

Lee Cooper's film follows David in his normal life in Brighton, tending to his garden and meeting his friends.

He tells of his past life of meeting and performing with the stars and of the heartbreak over losing his partner from Aids many years ago.

David is transformed into Maisie only for performances for which he wears flamboyant costumes, extravagant wigs and over-the-top make-up.

Just watching him getting dressed is exhausting.

But the old fella comes to life on stage as Maisie with a mic in her hand and quick with on her tongue.

The film also records David's meeting with the oldest drag artist in the world, Walter W. Cole (aka Darcelle XV) who, at the time of filming was a very sprightly 89.

They share anecdotes before emerging for a show together. That is certainly something to behold.

Cooper's film is a gentle and loving tribute to David/Maisie who on one hand is a curmudgeonly old chap and on the other is rather near-the-knuckle comic/singer.

It shows just how important the stage has been to a born performer and how sad it is that variety is much less the spice of life than it was years ago.

Reasons to watch: Colourful portrait

Reasons to avoid: A little bit repetitive

Laughs: Four

Jumps: None

Vomit:None

Nudity: Bottom cheeks

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? The word ‘drag’ is believed to have theatrical origins. The dresses men wore to play female characters would drag along the floor.

The final word. Lee Cooper: "David very much sees Maisie as an act and there’s a reason he calls himself a drag artiste. And what we found was that actually because it was so underground when he first started performing, it was illegal for two men to commit homosexual acts." Why Now

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