Words by Kate Thompson
“ I don’t feel right until the lashes are on – and then I become Miss G,” confided Andrew Pearce. The successful Southsea businessman has been donning his glad rags to become his stage persona for 20 years. And in that time his performances have raised around half a million pounds for good causes.
“Over the years the show has changed, and I couldn’t do all this without the fabulous people around me.
“It takes three months to prepare for a show. I make all my own costumes, and every time I say ‘This will be my last’, but then we get such fantastic feedback that I have to go on.
“It’s not until the evening itself that the whole show comes together – we’ve all been preparing but the magic happens on the night.
“I do get nervous and it’s exciting and exhausting, but always worth it.
Photo: John Snowden
“We just held a show in November and sold 10 tables on the night for the next show,” explained Andrew. As well as being a chance to fulfil his theatrical ambitions, the Fabulous Miss G has allowed him to give something back to the place he calls home.
From Prostate Cancer awareness to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, Andrew has been able to support their causes, and over the years he has donated many pieces of equipment to QA hospital.
With RuPaul’s Drag Race UK introducing a whole new audience to drag, Andrew is delighted the art form is once more in the spotlight.
“You used to have so many people on TV dressing up from Kenny Everett and Dick Emery to Lily Savage and Danny La Rue.
“I’m not really on the circuit, and I don’t know if I would want to go through the trauma of appearing on Drag Race UK.
“I prefer to do my shows here and raise money for causes that are close to my heart,” he said.
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