Sunday, February 17 will see two Dublin based drag queens come together for the first time to host a brand spanking new drag show – Buzz Bingo – at the Red Cow Complex on the Naas Road. With up to €1500 worth of cash prizes and a guaranteed €1000 grand prize, Carrie Déway and Dame Stuffy encourage everyone and anyone to come along for a night of fun, games, drag and music.

I sat down with Carrie Déway and Stuffy to chat life as a drag queen, influences and what to expect from a night at the Red Cow.

Though the queens have known each other for several years now, they have taken two distinctly different paths to the drag scene. Before leaving for dance school in the UK, Carrie won the third season of The Ringmaster’s Drag Race. After graduating, she sought sunnier climes in the Canaries and worked there for two years. Fresh off the boat, she is looking forward to finally teaming up with her long-term pal Stuffy.

Stuffy on the other hand, began life on the panto stage. Though there was no denying her love for the damehood, she began to come up with jokes that she could never say in front of an audience of children. On Carrie’s return, the queens put their wigs together and decided to deliver their own show in Dublin’s westside.

Stuffy tells me that they wanted to create an open and inclusive night, that would be accessible for those who live outside town:

“We want to give people a good night out on the Luas line in a place that’s very supportive of not only just the LGBTQ community but supportive of everything new. It’s not just a gay night, it’s for everyone.”

Carrie adds that with a guaranteed jackpot of €1000, this show is not to be missed:

“It’s not just going to be cut and dry bingo, there’s going to be a show as well. As it develops we’ll have guests coming down the line.”

Stuffy adds that Buzz Bingo has something for everyone, including those who are not familiar with drag at all:

“We’re going to attract 70 year-old Phyllis from Crumlin, and 18 year-old Alice from Clondalkin.”

Though they have different influences and style, Stuffy and Carrie agree that performance is at the heart of a talented drag queen:

“We sing live, we want to show that drag queens can sing, can be funny. They don’t always have to be just pretty.”

Carrie adds:

“We are characters and we’re not just relying on our faces, and definitely not on our bodies.”

In terms of influences, Stuffy cherishes the old school of drag – Dame Edna, Lily Savage and Mr Pussy. Carrie describes herself as a hybrid of Mrs Brown and Joan Rivers, though she’s impersonated everyone from Cher to Barbara Streisand to little orphan Annie.

Speaking in advance of Buzz Bingo, Carrie tells me that the queens will bring a distinctly Dublin flair to the festivities:

“It’s not all Yass Queen. That is in there as well – don’t get me wrong, I do love a Yass Queen! – but we’re more Howiya Love than Yass Queen.”

Buzz Bingo kicks off this Sunday February 17 at 10:00 PM, with additional nights planned for March.