Trevor Ashley’s Huge Year

Getting into a dress and glamming it up is a well-worn ticket to stardom for Australian male performers and Trevor Ashley has made a lucrative career out of it.

David Spicer reports.

No fewer than seven of his cabaret extravaganzas were staged in 2013; from cruise ships to the West End to the most prestigious stages around Australia.

His next big gig is Diamonds are for Trevor at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse, a tribute to Dame Shirley Bassey.

Using humour, wit and class, Ashley will tell the story of how the Welsh-born singer, who grew up in poverty-type circumstances, became one of the world’s most celebrated concert artists.

Ashley will be dressed by Oscar winning costume designer Tim Chappel (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert).

“I’ve got three or four changes. I love the outfits. My favourite one is an incredible blue and gold and pink piece with shiny sequin tassels and off the shoulder fishtails.

“Australians love to do drag and see drag. It seems to be part of our heritage, with people like Barry Humphries.

“Shirley Bassey is almost a drag Queen trapped in a woman’s body. She is so over the top, always wearing sparkly outfits and carrying feathers.”

But all his frocks will have to go back into the closet when he plays Thénardier in Les Misérables later this year.

He says Cameron Mackintosh gave him the part after seeing two of his cabarets.

“He came to see Trannie - Little Ophan Trashley at the Opera House and he loved that. He told me in my dressing room on the West End (where he staged Liza on an E) that I had the role. It was a show business dream come true.”

Diamonds are for Trevor

Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

28 January – 2 February 2014

artscentremelbourne.com.au

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