Lottie Walker’s one-woman show Marie Lloyd Stole My Life, celebrating the songs of the music hall, and specifically, performer Nelly Power, returns to Brighton this month.
“Nelly Power, star of the music hall struck an early blow for women’s rights by owning her own properties and divorcing her husband. She was arguably the first superstar drag king, and headlined at all the major theatres. Until her most famous song was stolen by the young Marie Lloyd. and it all went wrong.
This is the story of how the “Queen of the Music Hall” came to fame, told from Nelly’s perspective. It’s a true “Victorian Melodrama” – a bit “Ripper Street” and a bit “Eastenders”. With songs.”
Where: The Lantern
When: 16-18 May
Ticket link: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/marie-lloyd-stole-my-life/
Lottie rolls out the barrel and tells us more!
Marie Lloyd is back at Brighton Fringe (and it’s a terrific show) – tell us a bit about it!
Ah, thank you – what a nice thing to say! Marie Lloyd Stole My Life (which isn’t actually about Marie Lloyd) is the perfect show for Brighton with its rich history of both Music Hall – many of its biggest stars lived here – and also the art of drag.
The show tells the story of Nelly Power, arguably the first ever drag king whose life was much more dramatic off-stage than on.
This is a tale of a dramatic rescue at sea, immense wealth, domestic abuse, a scandalous love life, superstardom, ageism, and sexism – all lived in the public eye under the spotlight of the Victorian popular press in the dark and subversive world of the Music Hall.
We’ve got some songs everyone will recognise – and can sing along with – in the show, along with some of Nelly’s own original songs that nobody will know on the way in, but everyone will be humming on the way out!
We’re looking forward to introducing Nelly to a whole new audience and giving her the recognition she deserves.
It’s a big anniversary for Brighton Fringe this year – what do you like most about it?
Happy 20th birthday, Brighton Fringe – how lovely that we can celebrate with you!
Despite being a pretty big festival the Brighton Fringe has managed to retain its personal touch. The “Spirit of the Fringe” is alive and well here; everyone is very collegiate and helpful and there’s a real feeling of community.
Brighton is such a creative place anyway it always feels that the Fringe just fits in as part of the local scene for a month and doesn’t take over the entire city.
It is possible to escape the Fringe and relax without having to travel miles away on a day off; a trip round the Pavilion or fish and chips on the beach is all it takes!
Blue Fire Theatre is a bit of a powerhouse when it comes to shows; you still have Chopped Liver & Unions on tour. How do you find ideas and keep up that energy?
We’re certainly busy. Chopped Liver & Unions is touring, as you say and we’re in the process of trying to get that show booked out next year, which will hopefully be a big year for the show (it’s the centenary of the General Strike).
Since we started to focus our work on the forgotten stories of people who made an impact in their own lifetimes but are no longer known the ideas have come in thick and fast and the more our audience expands the more people are sending in ideas.
We’ll never get through them all, but our podcast Famous People You’ve Never Heard Of has allowed us to shine a light on many more of these stories and focus on more diverse people.
As for the energy – we’re running on fumes most of the time but it’s nothing a handful of vitamin supplements and the odd afternoon nap can’t sort out. Basically, if you’re a small company in this industry there’s no option but to keep going. I think if we stopped, we’d never start again!
What else is in the pipeline after these shows?
It’s all happening! Marie Lloyd Stole My Life leaves Brighton and has a few weeks off before going to Buxton Fringe (our first time there).
Chopped Liver and Unions has a one-night date in London at the New Wimbledon Theatre before going to Ludlow Fringe, Hereford and a tour of the East Anglia.
We’re in early development stages with Mother of Monsters (mother and daughter Mary Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft) showcasing as a work in progress at OSO in Barnes at the end of June.
We’re also collaborating with The Telling, another company that specialises in music based drama on a brand new project to be announced soon and that we’re really excited about.
Lottie, who plays Nelly Power at Brighton, has also just taken part in Fierce Boots, a documentary about the history of the male impersonator. And a new series of the podcast is imminent. Exciting times!
Sell us your show in three words!
Scandal, Showbiz, Songs!