A touch of Pink

The doting mother: Amanda Monroe. The crib: Newmarket Hotel. The lovechild: two-year old Pink. The father: is now the other mother.

They always grow up so fast, and Pink is no exception. Even Amanda Monroe gets wistful about its first baby-heeled steps when speaking to us. It was, "a very awful room with a bustle of energy and optimism that carried us through a giant opening night of new and faithful friends, curious sightseers and fickle queens looking to cut us off at the knees. Hopefully now they’ll find a not-so-awful room but the same energy and optimism that inspired us to open PINK in the first place."

And it’s every parents’ nightmare – it’s only natural that Pink will one day up and blurt out ‘where did I come from?’ Well, mummy and daddy loved each other very much, and ""we wanted to build an open and friendly venue that offered a performance space and a vibe that showed respect for audience and performers alike".

It seems just yesterday they were writing ‘baby’s first sequin’ in the photo album, and now they’re placing snaps from ground-breaking drag shows. "Trash the Eighties seemed to a firm favourite, and the Madonna Show was a big one – there was even a Special Edition DVD of that season that’s a bit of a collector’s item. One of the things we’re most proud of is the first Manly Sisters show Battered Broadway – its classy and its camp and its different and it would never have seen a spotlight without the inclusive community approach that has built PINK. My own favourite is our Fractured Fairytales show – I love a story with a handsome prince and a happy ending."

A perfect bedtime story, and lil sleepyheads will need plenty of rest before the 22^nd - it’s a Big Day. The Manly Sisters, Showbags and special guests will back with their shows, alongside a bopping mix of music from GuyDJ. The birthday celebrations don’t stop there, as the next week Pink Marquee brings fashion shows, costume prizes and campery for Derby Day.

So what’s lil Pinky asked for? "An atomic space modulator with anti-negativity device to use on all those people who said we wouldn’t last six weeks, and who continue to predict that we’ll close. I’d also like a lie detector, world peace and a cure for rabies." Aww, bless. Maybe if you’re lucky.