REVIEW: ONLINE Camp Bingo with Able Mabel

In the mist of lockdown, spirits were well and truly lifted on Thursday night by the ever-popular ‘Able Mabel’.

This special Brighton star staged an on online version of her infamous ‘Camp Bingo’ which sold out (tickets were free to 70 lucky punters) within minutes of release.

In normal times, drag hostess Mabel (aka Alan Temperley) has a massive following in Brighton and Hove due to Camp Bingo at The Grosvenor Bar and ‘Drag your Cards Right’ at The Queensbury Arms and Brighton Tavern. Regulars know the routine. Alan and his partner Ian Cox regularly stock up with prizes bought from their own funds, usually picked up on their holidays in Thailand or from Poundland. 

Able Mabel’s bingo is like no other. Anything can, and usually does happen. The numbers are announced with Mabel’s unique and blend of filth and humour. “All the three’s, number 12. A meal for two with a hairy view, 69.” When a winner is called the crowd shout “Mabel, Mabel, what’s on you’re table?” Mabel responds “What’s on my table?” The crowd replies “A load of sh*t!” And the prize is ceremonially opened. This time the prize was chosen from within 3 pairs of Alan’s underpants hanging on his venetian blinds. 

The online version facilitated via the ‘Zoom’ app was chaotic and fun. Friends who hadn’t seen each other in weeks waved and chattered throughout, and Mabel held up each number called to the camera due to the cacophony of noise. Amanda Lines who was playing along remarked “It’s just so heartwarming to see all our friends, it’s like being in a pub!” The bingo was accompanied by plenty of online drinking, and the odd cat and dog made an appearance as well.

Able Mabel is the alter ego of Alan Temperley, civil servant by day, drag queen by night, and much-loved Brighton bar tender in between. It took a great deal of effort for him and partner Ian to set up this gig, but as Alan said “If I’ve just brought a smile to people’s faces in these dark and frightening times, it’s all I wanted to achieve.”

Mabel was joined remotely by her regular hostess helpers in the mayhem Steve Williams aka ‘Dame Shirley’ and ‘Camp Bunny’ Damien Cawthorne aka ‘Gloria Hole’. After 2 hours of fun, Mabel led the crowd in a chorus of Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime classic ‘We’ll Meet Again’. And we will.