Virginia breaks into the act
Two of Australia’s best-known drag sensations have teamed up for one giant extravaganza. Cleo Coupe (Trevor Ashley) and Courtney Act (Shane Jenek) were going to co-star in Gentlemen Prefer Blokes but unfortunately, due to a skiing accident in Canada resulting in a broken leg, Act will be unable to perform in this Mardi Gras production.
Ashley, best known for his show-stopping turn as Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert -” The Musical, will now be joined by All Saints’ Virginia Gay.
Courtney and I are really singing sisters… our lives are parallel, Gay said. In fact I often feel she has the career I always should have had.
Before the skiing accident, Jenek said he and Ashley have written and recorded some fabulous film parody video sketches to keep you entertained while we change.
But while filming these video sketches some of the so-called straight folk got quite a fright.
Trevor and I sitting on Redleaf Beach dressed as Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey in Beaches was a cack. Trevor, with this big red hair and extra large [prosthetic] nose, singing Wind Beneath My Wings, Jenek said.
We scared off a straight couple who were quietly lying on the sand near where we were filming. It was worth it though, because when the guy stood up to leave he was stunning.
The entertainers co-wrote the show with theatre legends Phil Scott and Tony Taylor.
The show will kick off with the Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell classic Two Little Girls. Queer icons Britney Spears and Madonna also feature. And of course, no drag show would be
complete without a Kylie medley.
So there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is Courtney’s in a wheelchair, the good news is now I’ll be able to enter her as her own float at Mardi Gras, Ashley said.
info: Gentlemen Prefer Blokes will now only play at the Civic Hotel from Thursday 26 February to Friday 6 March. All Riverside Theatre shows have been cancelled. For bookings call 132 849.
