Foo Foo Lammar — Manchester Drag Artist

Portrait of an Iconic Manchester Drag Artist
Photographed by Paul Wolfgang Webster

In 1996, I was given the opportunity to step inside Foo Foo Lammar’s Palace and photograph one of Manchester’s most distinctive drag personalities. This portrait captures a character associated with the city’s vibrant nightlife, its Gay Village, Manchester Pride and the alternative culture that helped define Manchester’s identity.

This photograph forms part of my wider archive, documenting the people, personalities and subcultures that have shaped Manchester over the past three decades.

My intention was to capture more than a performer. I wanted to preserve Foo Foo’s individuality, presence and self-expression, creating a lasting visual record of a personality who formed part of Manchester’s cultural fabric.

For me, photography is about preserving people and stories that deserve to be remembered. This portrait celebrates the creativity, confidence and originality of Manchester’s drag scene and its contribution to the city’s cultural history.

A moment in Manchester’s cultural history, captured in 1996 and preserved through photography.