Miss Katherine makes an STD call from her temporary parlour in the Macedon Ranges in country Victoria, to one of Perth’s original drag queens, the very camp and eternally youthful Karlotta.
She managed to discuss many years of drag, the gypsy lifestyle, favourite colours, drag sisters and a return to the stage while quietly gorging herself on homemade quiche and Sandy Farm organic Cabernet Merlot in a very lovely handmade earthen tea cup…
Hello..(sip)… Karlotta how are you darling?
Karlotta: I am good my love how are you?
Miss Katherine: I am good thanks, I am sitting outside on a veranda in the country enjoying the clean crisp mountain air sipping…um… ice tea, my gosh I have not seen you for years! how long has it been?..(sip).. It must be nearly twenty years since I last saw you in Sydney!
K: Um, yes, it would be that long ago – but that will be giving away my age I suppose!
MK: Ha ha, I am sorry this ‘tea’ is just so.. mellow I am forgetting myself; How long have you been doing drag for?
K: Uh, oh about 35 years now – I started quite young though. I first started performing with Lisa Gibson and Cinnamon Ryan in Girls, Girls, Girls! at the Swan Brewery Hotels, there was also the Raffles in the early 1970’s and I was one of the original Stray Girls at Connections.
MK: Wow, was that when Connections first opened (sip)?
K: Yeah love!
MK: My god! That was a long time ago. May I ask what was your first drag name was, oh, and did you have a drag mother?
K: My first name was Crystal and then for a short spell Jedda. I did not have a drag mother -I am way too old for all that! Being one of Perth’s first drag queens, we were all the same age back then, but I suppose when I was in Sydney there were queens like Lorraine Campbell Craig who were iconic and I looked up to..
MK: Well I suppose that does make sense, (sip) tell me about when you first left Perth.
K: Well I have been travelling back and forward for years as you know, I have lived in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide and back in Sydney again – kind of like following the weather six months here, and six months there but every time after living in Sydney – (it is so busy and hectic over there) I would always come back to Perth just to veg out a little bit. In Sydney you have to have at least three jobs to support the lifestyle you become accustomed to my love!
MK: Ha ha, yes I know! Tell me, do you have any drag daughters?
K: Darling I have sisters, I have been off the scene for such a long time but back in the old days there was a group of us who used to hang out, like Candy Conrad, Natasha and Strykermeyer -he is still around- but most of the girls have passed away and there are only a few of us left now from the old days, my love.
MK: Time just passes us all so quickly.. (sip)… do you think you will ever do shows again?
K: Funny you should mention that! I have been having a little chat with Connections and possibly something will be coming up involving me, so I hope so. I did the door at Connections on New Years Eve and that was fun, a little bit of a spark for a change would be nice because I have not done drag for 9 years.
MK: Do you have a favourite colour?
K: Red, I love red, my house is covered in it!
MK: Do you have a number that you always love to do?
K: Absolutely, ‘Proud Mary’ by Tina Turner is my favourite.
MK: Oh fabulous! That’s a fast number (sip).
K: -and long too! it usually kills me by the end -BUT you get that!
MK: Yes indeed you would! Do you have a favourite flower?
K: I love oriental lilies.
MK: Oh darling they are so elegant, do you have any advice for the darling drag babies?
K: Well, this could take forever, don’t wear too many colours and take time with your hair – it really does show – so many of the young queens look like they have just thrown their wigs on!
MK: Oh..(sip).. I could not agree more! Finally, before I forget..(sip).. do you have a favourite saying?
K: You are only as old as you feel, my love.
MK: So true,(gazing into her empty handmade earthen tea cup) …My gosh, look at the time! I have to go and make myself another cup of that lovely ‘tea’ it is just so seductive…This country air is making me feel quite dizzy with happiness. See you back in Perth sister!
MK: Good luck with the shows girl!
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