Huge congratulations to all this year's Cabaret Academy students - here's a little bit about each new act - do keep an eye out - we suspect you'll be seeing a lot more of some of them at a venue near you!
Lady La Rue
Darlings, to say that Lady La Rue has a love of the theatre would be a rather huge understatement. This queen of luvviedom exists on the thrill of the greasepaint and smell of the crowd - an affliction that she’ll helpfully point out. In fact, we suspect if she could, she would have been born centre-stage at The Palladium. Sit back, but perhaps don’t relax, as she takes you on a whirlwind tour of West End secrets – from green room gossip to costume drama, not to mention the stellar cast she’ll purport to have worked with. Top of the bill, at least in her own mind, she’ll fix you with a steely gaze – you just need to work out whether she’s looking at you or her own reflection…Beware though… this is a wit that’s razor sharp.
Contact Lady La Rue : t. 020 3336 0811 w. www.lady-la-rue.com
Just Lorna
Ask any of the chickies in her pen, they’ll tell you she’s the biggest mother hen – and she’s certainly taken the academy under her wing. However, this classy lady won’t be donning her Marigolds and giving the dressing room a spring clean. She’s here to captivate the audience and own the stage. A soulful voice reminiscent of great divas of the Dusty Springfield and Eartha Kitt variety, her enchanting performance has already wowed Brighton audiences – a finalist at Pride’s Got Talent and already lapping up the bookings for the city’s burgeoning vocal cabaret scene.
Contact Just Lorna : t. 07900 432436 e.
Violet Venom
Welsh Dragon, Violet Venom, has a past. From a religious upbringing deep in the valleys, to the depraved debauchery of Cardiff, then on, she claims, under cover of the Witness Protection Programme, to Brighton’s arguably serener shores, she’s here for Revenge. Whether she’s talking verb or club, we’re not quite sure. With a toxic blend of harsh reality bytes and indie flavoured numbers, she’s here to “shock, delight, amaze and empower every down-trodden loser, misfit and non-conforming lost soul in the room…”. Bound to be a hit on the alternative scene, she’s still open to offers..birthdays, weddings…but perhaps not children’s parties.
Contact Violet Venom : t. 07837 656978 e.
Donna Matrix
It may be hard to believe that Donna joined the Academy to boost her confidence, but she’s also come on something of a journey since the start. From learning to walk in heels and getting a grip with her wig to establishing rapport with the crowd, it’s been a voyage of discovery. Armed with a keen observational wit, Donna’s conversational style, nevertheless has bite and she’ll also belt out a number or two! It’s maybe unsurprising that Donna has already treaded the boards of cabaret stages around town already.
Contact Donna Matrix : t. 07890 158925 e. > >donnamatrix@hotmail.co.uk
Auntie Robbie
As comfy as an old pair of slippers, Auntie Robbie is your archetypal favourite aunt at Christmas after a few sherries. Fabulously endearing with a few rather raucous, but hilarious gags up her sleeve and a number or two to belt out. Not to mention an at times wildly out of control décolletage. No stranger to the gay circuit, she’s been around – as she’ll be the first to tell you - and after Brighton Pride this year took the decision to follow the dream. Completely lovable, Auntie Robbie has that certain something that harks back to some of the cabaret greats of yore.
Contact Auntie Robbie : t. 07876 733487 w. www.auntierobbie.co.uk
Peter Davies
Since retiring from the Civil Service, Peter is a relative newcomer to the stage, becoming a fixture on the Brighton Piano Bar scene and picking up the mic just a few years ago. Our very own king of swing can be relied upon to dish up those songs we all love to hear with his deep resonant baritone vocals. He’s a huge fan of musicals and, it goes without saying, a bit of a Sinatra buff. Peter has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the Dave Lynn Academy, working with the team on stage presence and technical skills and embracing the unique opportunity this has offered. Our only ‘boy’ in the Academy, he’s a good vocalist and a true gent.
Contact Peter Davies : t. 01273 819262 e.
Tammy Twinkle
It’s futile to resist the considerable charms of the dizzy, blond, dotty world of Tammy Twinkle. In fact, so contagious is her enthusiasm, you’ll be smiling from the word go. But that’s not the only string to her bow. An accomplished vocalist, she’ll whisk you off on a rollercoaster of emotion – plucking at the heartstings one moment, before splitting your sides the next. She doesn’t even need a scalpel to do it. In fact, we suspect that she’s not really allowed near any sharp instruments at all.
Contact Tammy Twinkle : t. 07811 158024 e.
Big thanks to...
Andrew Stark has been performing professionally on the cabaret c ircuit now for the last seven years. Starting out as a writer/creator o f the drag act, Trashville Tennessee, he created hundreds of parodies and original material for the show, as well as p erforming as 'Dolly Partem'. Trashville finally came to a close after five successful years and Andrew went on to created another character, Pat Cruise - the cruising sensation who is now established as a firm favourite on the cabaret scene. For more information, please visit the Pat Cruise website www.patcruise.co.uk.
Rupert Ellick, or Ruby Roo, is no stranger to the stage. In addition to regular DJ slots at clubs and on radio both locally and further afield, Rupert is also experienced in all aspects of theatre and event production, sound and lighting.
Dame Connie Conway was one of the success stories of last year's academy and has a number of residencies, as well as guest appearances, in Brighton and London. Connie has been a valuable part of the team this year, assisting with choreography and stage movement with her considerable West End experience. For more information, visit www.dameconway.co.uk.
Thanks also go to Psu Boyne, Andrew's manager, and Dave's manager, Tamzin, who have both lent their considerable experience to the academy. Thanks too to James Brooks and Huw Edwards of REALBrighton.com, our sponsors, who have also helped organise the academy. Big cheers to the Charles Street team for all their help and support too!