Ginger Johnson

Ginger Johnson is a celebrated drag performer, writer and theatre maker whose career blends camp comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and fearless theatricality. 

Born Donald Marshall in County Durham, Ginger began her drag journey while studying scriptwriting at university in Newcastle. Her first foray into drag came when she wrote a radio play about an older woman and unable to cast the role, performed it herself—thus sparking a lifelong passion for character-driven performance.

She rose to prominence on the East London cabaret scene, earning a reputation for her bold humour and emotionally raw style. Ginger became a key figure in the legendary queer collective Sink the Pink, where she wrote, directed, and co-produced surreal pantomimes such as Down the Rabbit Hole, How to Catch a Krampus and Escape from Planet Trash. Her debut solo show Ginger Johnson’s Happy Place premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019 and was named one of the festival’s best by The Times.

In 2023, Ginger Johnson won RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 5, becoming the first queen from the North East to take the crown. Her drag persona—described as “a helium balloon in the shape of a woman”—is inspired by fiery redheads of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including Lucille Ball and Rita Hayworth. On the show, she wowed audiences with her impersonation of Dame Barbara Cartland in Snatch Game and became one of the few queens in Drag Race history to win three consecutive challenges.

Whether she’s belting out ballads, hosting awards, or crafting surreal stage shows, Ginger Johnson is a creative force who continues to push boundaries and uplift audiences with her unique blend of silliness and sincerity. To book Ginger for your next event, be it a corporate gala, Pride celebration, or cabaret night, contact Prime Performers at info@primeperformers.co.uk or call 020 3500 3331.