Sunday Arts Magazine

29 Jan 2017

Trevor Ashley -Diamonds Are For Trevor & Kanen Breen in ‘Tis Pity

Arts, Dance, Gay, Music, Performing Arts

We have a one hour show again due to the broadcast from Pride March earlier today–hosted by David and Neil. Neil tells us about 2 Midsumma events he attended including Dolly Diamond’s Blankety Blanks with guests Virginia Trioli (a David favourite) and Michael Rowland from the Breakfast show on ABC TV as well as Dean Arcuri and Tom Ballard. Neil really enjoyed the show, especially the interaction between Dolly and Virginia. The other show he saw was Finucane & Smith’s Glorybox Lucky 13–a legendary burlesque troupe that is famous world over. Neil found it interesting and enjoyable but also rather confronting!

The two very special guests today are:

5:14 to 23:51 mins–Trevor Ashley is legendary in the theatre/cabaret/drag world and is here to tell us about his homage to Shirley Bassey, in her 80^thyear, in his show Diamonds Are For Trevor at the Sydney Opera House on 2 March as part of Mardi Gras. Trevor grew up in Sydney and could sing from a very early age.  He learnt piano and singing and was also in a Youth Theatre called Shopfront, from 5 to 16 years old, where he learnt to do plays and music. In year 12 he’d already finished 3 units earlier so threw himself into various musical/ theatre shows and performances. From 18 he started working in the industry and has never stopped.  For a long time Trevor has alternated between producing his own shows (he explains why), and doing a major musical such as Les Mis. Trevor has taken drag to a whole new level and does the actual singing with his amazing high-range voice. He talks about the shows- I’m Every Woman & Little Orphan TrAshley, about Mike Walsh’s encouragement, his creative process and possible TV shows. Trevor had performed the spectacular Diamonds Are For Trevor only 6 times before to great acclaim, with 4 of the shows at Midsumma in 2014. Trevor has made the show even bigger than it was with a 24 piece orchestra, a mystery conductor, 22 Bassey songs and costumes designed by Tim Chappel.  About half the tickets are already sold out.

24:26 to 44:18 mins–Tenor Kanen Breen is here to talk about his background and his latest role in the Victorian Opera’s ‘Tis Pity on from 4 to 8 February at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Kanen was taught singing by David Ross-Smith who lived next door to his parents. Kanen got involved with the then Victorian State Opera (VSO) on Ross-Smith’s suggestion and stayed with them when they merged and became Opera Australia (OA). Now Kanen  bounces between OA, Victorian Opera and Opera Queensland. He’s also performed in London and the US and also does some cabaret–usually with Jacqui Dark–where they have all the creative control. With Victorian Opera, Kanen has found that they are at the forefront of examining the artform with their eclectic selections of offerings, forays into youth opera and working with Australian creatives. ‘Tis Pity is a new piece composed by Richard Mills, directed by Cameron Menzies and performed by Meow Meow ,and Kanen himself, along with 3 male dancers and an orchestra.  It’s about the progress of working girls and boys throughout history–their triumphs, tribulations, differences and similarities. Kanen talks about the exhaustive and fascinating rehearsal process where composer, director and cast were attempting to ‘create that flavour’ and infuse it with Richards songs. The newness of it all very much appeals to Kanen and he’s a big fan of the extraordinary Meow Meow. Also, the transformation of the Recital Centre space is a huge part of the show. David looks forward to seeing it.  Next for Kanen is a part in Barrie Kosky’s spectacular–Handel’s Saul at the Adelaide Festival.

 

 

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