Lola's Page
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Her Imperial Highness, Regina Fong - gone but not forgotten.
Tuesday 15th April, 2003 was a very sad day when the LGBT scene, throughout the UK, learnt of the passing of Reginald Sutherland Bundy aka Her Imperial Highness Regina Fong.
Regina was a legend. From her start as member of legendary triple act, The Disappointer Sisters; hostess of the infamous Tuesday amateur night at the Black Cap; through to the sketches she performed across the UK with her loyal audiences of Fongettes joining in on every word. So it was only right for the scene to remember and celebrate her life each year, and this happened for the 5th time on Tuesday 22nd May, 2007.
The first remembrance show, back in 2003 was a truly unique and star-studded show. So many people wanted to pay their respects, and those we couldn't get on the stage were in the audience! But between Titti La Camp and myself, we managed to coax the following out of retirement. Adrella, Katrina & The Boy,The Harlequeens and the one and only Lily Savage. This was a show that would never be repeated in quite the same way, and made for one of the best shows (and the longest!) in the Black Cap's history. Since then the remembrance shows have tried to concentrate on performing Regina's sketches, as that's what the Fongettes want to see, and this year's show proved to be the best yet.
A stellar line up of muself, Titti, Sandra, Millie Turner, Mrs Moore, Trindy, Rose Garden, Dolly Diamond, Adrella, Sheila Blige and Ebon-Knee kept the audience of Fongettes and some very confused queens on their toes, with renditions of Skippy, Cilla, Deirdre Rasheed, Blockbusters, The Mouse, marti Caine, Thora Hird, Roman Orgy, Janice Smith, and the Typewriter. We had Jamie Watson providing some serious vocals, and David Rosen on the sound, which created a true Tuesday night atmosphere, that Regina would have been proud of!
Such a successful night (the door money was donated to the Marie Curie Cancer Fund) proved the mark and popularity of a true star, and it was an honour to pay tribute to someone who not only was a fabulous artiste, but a fabulous friend as well.
# posted by Lola Lasagne : 10:44 PM
