David Raven: The Glittering Legacy of Maisie Trollette
Oh, darlings, gather close and let me spin you a tale of David Raven, known to the world in all her shimmering splendor as Maisie Trollette. Born on August 15, 1933, in the charming seaside town of St Ives, Cornwall, Maisie has been gracing stages and captivating hearts for more than half a century. That’s right, she’s been dazzling audiences longer than most of us have been perfecting our contouring!
From Humble Beginnings to Fabulous Fame
Picture it: 1930s Cornwall, where young David Raven was raised before his family moved to Suffolk. Imagine this future drag sensation training as a grocer, then a publican and waiter, rubbing elbows with the likes of Lonnie Donegan and Matt Monro at Gorleston Super Holiday Camp in Great Yarmouth. By 1960, David packed up and moved to London, ready to conquer the world with nothing but a sparkle in his eye and a song in his heart.
It was in London that David met the charming James Court, and together they created magic as the Trollettes. Their unique blend of live performance and charisma won them a talent competition at The Black Cap in Camden Town. But the real fairy tale began when David met his life partner, banker Don Coull. Don’s cheeky suggestion to add a bit more sparkle led to the birth of Maisie Trollette—thanks to Don’s playful jab about looking like a pair of trolls, David combined “troll” with the -ette suffix, and voilà, Maisie Trollette was born!
Maisie Trollette: A Drag Diva is Born
The 1960s were a golden era for drag, and Maisie Trollette was right at the heart of it, serving up live performances that shone brighter than the rest. The Trollettes quickly became a beloved fixture at The Vauxhall Tavern, and Maisie’s theatrical flair saw her gracing stages in productions like The Boys in the Band and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
In the late 1970s, fate and fortune smiled upon Maisie and Don. With a hefty win from the football pools, they bought a guesthouse on St George’s Terrace in Brighton, a city that stole their hearts with its liberal, gay-friendly vibe. Since then, Brighton has been Maisie’s stage, and she’s been a fabulous fixture at Brighton Pride since its inception in 1973.ible alliance with Le Pen, in case she wins the second round.
The Timeless Sparkle of Brighton
Even now, perched on a stool and belting out classics like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Anything Goes,” Maisie’s act remains as enchanting as ever. In 2018, for her 85th birthday, the drag world witnessed a true moment of magic—Darcelle XV, the world’s oldest working drag queen, flew in from the US to perform with Maisie at Legend’s Bar in Brighton. Their meeting was captured in the documentary Maisie, celebrating a legacy of enduring glamour and grace.
A Legend’s Life and Legacy
So here’s the scoop, darling. David Raven, the brilliant Maisie Trollette, has danced through the decades with a sparkle that refuses to fade. At 85, she’s still performing, still fabulous, and still as fierce as ever. Despite the challenges—like arthritis and the loss of dear friends—Maisie remains a beacon of resilience and joy.
Why does she keep performing? “I’m working because I love what I do,” she says with a wink. “Besides, have you seen the prices of bread and coffee?” With a legacy as rich as her makeup is glittery, Maisie Trollette is a true icon whose story continues to inspire and dazzle. Here’s to Maisie, a living legend whose sparkle will shine on for generations to come. Cheers, darling—keep on dazzling! 💋✨
