Brimming with natural effervescence and a personality that could warm the coldest of hearts, Miss Jason has been camping it up for a remarkable seventeen years. This week she starts another Sunday residency at the North London cabaret hot-spot, Central Station. As the evening is entitled ‘Miss Jason’s Sunday Confessional’, Jason Reid saw this as the perfect opportunity to squeeze some juicy confessions out of the lady herself…
Tell us a little bit about what to expect from your new Sunday residency at Central Station.
Well, I’ll be ably assisted by my wonderful sound technician, Martin – one of the owners of Central Station – and we are going to deliver a big dollop of camp every Sunday night, through songs and banter. And I must say it’s refreshing to know I’m working with someone who is more likely to be pissed than I am, dear. It’s a wonderfully kitsch way to end your weekend.
Sounds like a right hoot. Right, are you ready to confess?
Ooooh, yes dear. I’m on my knees and ready to divulge.
When and where did you pop your drag cherry?
My first gig was at the Queens Arms in Brighton. I was a guest of the legendary Phil Starr; seventeen years ago this August. I somehow managed to convince Phil that I had potential. He asked me to come and perform with him on the Wednesday night – forty eight hours later. I had no dress, wig, proper act or even a name but I just went with the flow. Phil Starr christened me Miss Jason and it stuck.
And you went from strength to strength. What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done during a show?
I once performed an act of fellatio onstage, dressed as Mrs. Slocombe. As you do, dear.
Who, on the cabaret scene, would you snog, marry and avoid?
I’d snog, marry AND avoid Lola Lasagne.
Whose posters did you have on your wall as a teenager?
I never had any posters on my wall as a teenager but my mum always said she knew I was gay. [laughs] Especially so, because on my seventh birthday, she asked me what I’d like, and I said I wanted a chandelier for my bedroom – how camp, dear. And guess what, I got one!
What scares you?
The tax man – the bastard!
Which song makes you cry like a baby, and which song makes you smile from ear to ear?
The song that makes me cry is, ‘If I Never Sing Another Song’, when it’s performed by Maisie Trollette. The song that makes me smile from ear to ear is a song Tammy Twinkle sang for my birthday, last month in Thailand. It’s called ‘Sister Act’, but I’m not sure where it’s from. It’s beautiful.
Who, in the public eye, would you send to Room 101?
Oh, it’d have to be Richard Arnold from Daybreak. I find him to be the most irritating, nauseating queen, who’s more full of himself than the people he’s interviewing. I couldn’t bear him on Strictly Come do-dah, either. However, she does own a couple of nice blouses.
Where is the oddest place you’ve done ‘the naughties’?
In the Rock Gardens, Portsmouth. I fell in the pond and got covered in algae when the coppers were chasing me. I had to walk all the way home like it, too. And then there was that time at the A27 lay-by. I sorted out the driver because I didn’t have the money to pay him. AND then there was the time on Hove Lawns with Robert Slack – the owner of The Caledonian, Brighton – I was trying to get a booking. [laughs]
If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be and why?
I’ve always said that what’s been behind me is there for a reason, dear. It’s best not to look over your shoulder.
If you could be one other drag queen for a day who would you be and why?
I’d be Lola Lasagne, because unlike her I’ve only ever managed to get angry twice in one day. [laughs]
MISS JASON’S QUICKIES
If you were queen for a day you’d knight… Jimmy Smith, Two Brewers manager
The proudest moment of your career so far is… Managing to pay my tax bill
The first album you ever bought was… Vera Lynn, Songs That Won the War
The one possession you couldn’t live without is… My cock ring
Your favourite TV show is… Loose Women
The nicest celebrity you’ve ever met is… Christopher Biggins
You’d describe your personality as… Schizophrenic
Your favourite holiday destination is… Thailand
