Saturday with Davina Devine: I've been doing drag for nearly 25 years

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08.30

I’m an early riser on a Saturday — it is like mid-week for me. I love a bit of Ireland AM in the background — it’s a comforting vibe. I like to have a good breakfast because I don’t like to eat later in the day. Sometimes if I’m being very cheeky I’ll get a Deliveroo. If I’m cooking myself I’ll have eggs with bacon but if I’m feeling very boujee I might order pancakes from Angelina’s. I have even been known to have a sneaky McDonald’s for breakfast — from classy lady to boujee girl it very much depends on what’s happened the night before.

11.00

I’ll get some washing on and clean my makeup brushes. A lot of prep goes into drag — I’ll air out my costumes and style some of my wigs. If it’s a good drying day I’ll wash my wigs and get them out on the line — it’s nature’s blowdry!

I do several shows a week, so I am constantly updating my costume wardrobe. I am a complete hoarder and keep absolutely everything. I have rails and rails of clothes — a scandalous amount — but I’m lucky that I have the dressing room at The George which is crammed within an inch of its life.

I can remember the night I wore each costume so they’re quite sentimental. I’ve been doing drag for nearly 25 years and it’s interesting to be able to look back and see the evolution of style coming through in my costumes. It takes me back to certain eras in music too. I still have the first drag costume I ever wore, though I don’t think I fit into it these days!

13.00

I like to catch up with Real Housewives and to see what’s going on in the charts. I DJ on Saturday nights in The George so I’ll prep my music for the night. It’s really important for me to stay current. I have to keep up with what’s new and things move fast — people are digesting things so much quicker now. People think that the show is scripted but it’s not. Anything could happen and so my mind is constantly alert. It does take a toll on you so I need that rest on a Saturday afternoon. A comedian might have an act prepared but we’re improvising the whole time. There is a structure but we never really know what we’re going to say before we get on the mike. The George is my home-from-home though so I feel very relaxed there.

15.00

I’ll go out for a meander and meet up with some friends. Most of my friends work nine to five so I like to try to catch up with them, have a coffee, see what’s going on in their lives... I like to sit outside Fallon & Byrne or on the steps of the Powerscourt Centre — they’re great for people watching.

18.00

Davina Divine and Victoria Secret Picture: Paul Sherwood

I have a little makeup room in my house that I set up during covid when myself and my friend Victoria Secret did a show online each week. I’ll get into the zone before the madness begins — it’s a process. I’ll listen to Crime World with Nicola Tallant, my friend Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams’ My Therapist Ghosted Me and to the Doc on One on RTÉ — there was a great one recently about Elizabeth Plunkett who was from Ringsend like myself.

Davina Devine backstage with Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams

20.45

It’s out of the taxi and into the chaos for the show at 9pm. I’ll run into the dressing room, pick out what I’m wearing and then it’s straight on stage. It’s my job to kickstart everyone else’s Saturday night — we’ve been doing Saturgays at The George for 20 years. The thing about karaoke is that you could have amazing singers or really bad singers — it’s a mystery and it’s great craic. I thrive in situations that are unpredictable, I thrive on the adrenaline of not knowing what’s going to happen. If I knew exactly what I was coming into I’d be bored.

The George has been consistent for the past 40 years through the highs and lows of everything that has happened culturally. Ireland is a small country but we’ve come such a long way and The George has been a constant through that. Things are pretty unpredictable in the real world, but The George has always been constant, steady, a very important place.

Davina Devine at The George's 40th anniversary celebrations. Picture: Paul Sherwood

Things are pretty grim in the world right now so it’s nice to be able to kick up your heels, let the hair down, and have fun. The George has been so many things to so many people over the years — she’s been a formative space for many people and we’re very lucky to have her.

23.30

After the karaoke I’ll DJ until about 11.30pm and then I’m free as a bird. I might meet up with friends for a drink or go to a friend’s house. I might pop over to Pantibar or Pennylane. I don’t work on Sundays so I can go wild in the aisles on a Saturday night.

• The George is celebrating 40 years at the heart of LGBT Ireland. An integral part of Irish nightlife, it has provided a safe space for queer people and allies alike to meet, dance and celebrate. thegeorge.ie