The Calidonian Two on Edward Street, scene of Dave's regular Wednesday night residency, played host the night before Dave's birthday.

All was set as normal when I ventured upstairs to hand Dave a birthday card which he promptly added to the piles of others he'd already accumulated! Whilst he attended to 'make-up' we chatted about his birthday, "How did you know?" he asked, I replied "Everybody knows, in the same way we all remember Maisie's is on August 15th" (Tamzin, reading Dave's mind, reached for a pen and the diary)! "How do you remember that?" he asked, "Easy", I said, "it's the Feast of the Assumption!" - we all laughed!

Returning downstairs I noticed more and more Wednesday night regulars, Dave's groupies who just can't live without seeing every show and, of course, more friends. The venue was filling up nicely and word had obviously gotten round about Dave's birthday. There was also too, a bit of stage whispering about a "surprise" and all went quiet as Dave ascended to the stage...

After greeting the audience as usual, Dave sang his opening number to the usual receptive applause of his fans. Then, quite unexpectedly, another sound track began playing... "this is not one of my numbers" Dave's facial expression seemed to convey and sure enough it wasn't. Then in walked Maisie Trollette, a "legend in her lifetime" and an old friend of Dave's! "I've come to give you the night off" Maisie greeted Dave, "Well I hope you're not getting my fee" said Dave!

There then followed an obviously different programme to the one Dave had originally intended as he and Maisie began to reminisce on stage about how long they'd known each other. Maisie was the one surprised at this point as Dave unexpectedly remembered the names and events of shared memories with far more clarity than Maisie did! It was obvious she was not going to out wit him tonight!

So from beneath her skirt(!) she produced what she declared a "birthday present" in the guise of a Somerfield bag. It was in fact a photograph of Dave and Maisie and a whole host of drag artistes from a show they'd performed together in Brighton in 1992. Such luminaries as Dockyard Doris and Phil Star were pictured posing with a very young and glamorous looking Dave Lynn... "that's me!" Said Dave, "I should hope so m'dear" gargled Maisie taking another swig from her brandy balloon glass! "Where's my drink?" asked Dave as he spotted the now growing collection of brandy filled glasses Maisie was accumulating and being passed... "it is MY birthday show isn't it?!"

There followed a song, deliberately chosen by Dave from his own backing tracks that Maisie attempted to join in with, with some comedic success. More conversation about old times was followed by the realisation that this birthday event was being shared with a young man... well 34 is young compared to Maisie!

Peter (aka Candi Rel) was brought up on stage to have both drag idols sing him "Happy Birthday" which did eventually happen after Dave sang another number avoiding Maisie and stealing the limelight... Meanwhile said young man was left defenceless on stage to deal with Maisie's surreptitious advances! After which a birthday cake was indeed trolled out in traditional fashion and presented to Peter, followed by a bouquet of flowers presented to Dave from and on behalf of the venue. "Which cemetery did you steal these from?" Dave said, "No, seriously, thank you!"

Unfortunately, being triple-booked to cover other events I had to leave the party early, but a supremely happy birthday I am sure was had by Mr Dave Lynn, Brighton's ever popular star turn.