Brighton drag legend Maisie Trollette, known as the oldest queen on the circuit, has died in a care home in Brighton at the age of 91.
Fellow performers and friends paid tribute to Maisie, aka David Raven, who was known for her quick wit, her kindness and her ability to entertain.
Maisie was the subject of Maisie, A Documentary, in 2018, which brought her together with Darrelle XV, the oldest drag queen in America. The documentary also featured her friends and fellow performers Dave Lynn and Miss Jason.
Drag prince Alfie Ordinary said on social media: “When I first started drag Maisie Trollette was celebrating her 80th birthday and I was honoured to be asked to perform at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s party for her alongside Dave Lynn and Miss Jason. As a complete newbie, I had no idea what to expect but I was met with nothing but love and was in total awe of these incredible queens. I’m so glad I was lucky enough to see Maisie perform and hang out with David a few times in Brighton. It’s clear to see how cherished and respected Maisie was and, like many others, her legacy will live on through the stories, jokes and love that our community shares.
“My thoughts are with those who were closest to Maisie, especially the queens who looked after David in his later years. When I last saw David, he made several jokes about erections, and that’s the perfect way to remember him.”
David Raven was born in St Ives, Cornwall in 1933. He came out at the age of 26 and moved to London in 1960, where he started experimenting with drag. He and James Court started a double act. His long term partner Don Coull suggested the pair doll themselves up a bit and said they looked like a pair of trolls, after which they became known as Maisie and Jimmy Trollette.
The Trollettes performed regularly at the Vauxhall Tavern in London. In the 1970s David won the pools and was able to buy a guesthouse in Brighton.
As well as performing on the Brighton and London scene David Raven was a stalwart of the Brighton Alternative Panto.
Drag Queen Myra DuBois said in a post on Instagram,: “RIP to a legend: David Raven AKA Maisie Trollette. Trailblazer. What a life.”
Watch the trailer for Maisie here:
