Burchmore lends her legs for WAD concert

There will be no shortchanging the crowd at the inaugural World AIDS Day concert, with a bevy of star talent on hand to lend their vocal cords to charity, including Todd McKenney, Shauna Jensen and the lady with the longest legs in town, Rhonda Burchmore.

As a seasoned pro on the corporate circuit, television favourite and long-time leading mistress of Australian cabaret, Burchmore is sure not to disappoint crowds as she takes on the Peter Allen numbers I Could Marry the Rain and I’ve Been Taught By Experts.

Trevor Ashley invited me to do the concert, and I just thought what a perfect excuse to get into Peter Allen, who the whole night is centred around. I was really thrilled to be invited and I get to do two of the more obscure Peter Allen numbers, which I’m actually quite thrilled about, she told Sydney Star Observer.

Burchmore assures that it will be an out-and-out showbiz night that comes complete with a full-scale orchestra and a male chorus line.

I still get nervous, and I get excited. It’s always a bit of a challenge doing songs that you don’t normally do in your repertoire and particularly because we’re only really going to rehearse it on the day, so it’s going to be interesting to see what happens on the night when I have to dance with a whole bunch of boys I just met, she said with a laugh.

Music and possible stiletto mishaps aside, Burchmore is mainly looking forward to taking part in the debut event in the hopes of raising greater awareness.

It’s an honour to be asked and if, by doing that concert, they can make people more aware, all the better.

For a while when I was just starting out, there were quite a few of the dancers who are unfortunately no longer with us as a result of AIDS, so I just think it’s wonderful that the gay community has gotten behind this to support awareness and if I can do something to help from my side of things, then I’m thrilled to do that.

info: The first Sydney World AIDS Day concert is on Sunday November 30 at the Star Theatre, Star City. Tickets: $60-$70. Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au or for more information go to www.acon.org.au/worldaidsdayconcert.
Rhonda Burchmore