DINA THE DEMENTED

Dina Martina is the surreal creation of satirically minded Grady West. Described as a ‘train wreck in heels’ and ‘insanely funny’, her new show Moribund promises to be packed with ludicrous song and dance, and heads to Soho Theatre next week. Jason Reid took time out to chat with Dina…

 

Jason: So, tell me, who is Dina Martina? 

I think she’s a neat lady with a ballpark figure who is crying out for help.

How did you become the vision of beauty/creative goddess we see before us today? 

Lots of hard work, that’s how. I sing, I dance, I act, constantly. I’m always doing those three things. Right now, readers, I’m actually singing the responses to these questions, whilst I tap dance them out in morse code, but I’m dressed as Quasimodo because when I’m finished with this interview I’m performing a one-woman production of ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ for an elderly group. And in the world of show business, do you know what they call someone like me who can sing and dance AND act?

What?

They call you a threat, Jason.

Haha! There are some fantastically bonkers parodies and inventive routines in your show. Where, amongst the dark abyss, do the ideas stem from?

I’ll have to look up “bonkers parodies” in the dictionary, but in the meantime, thank you! I find inspiration in everything from today’s fashions to sandwiches to ‘at risk” youth to more sandwiches.

So, tell us about your new show that will be rocking the Soho Theatre. What do you have in store?

Valet parking, fireworks display, exotic cars, white carriages, three dance floors including one under the stars, A live violin dubstep show, breakdancers, sweetbreads, an acrobatic pole show and one of those old beat-up school buses with chickens on it. Oh, and much, much more.

The show is called ‘Moribund’. Interesting name…

Yes, it’s because I am currently near death.

I seeeeee… Any really bizarre gigs over the years? 

I played a hoarder’s convention once, and that was different because I got paid in scabies. Also, a man hired me years in advance to perform at his funeral, but I realized at the end of my set that he never paid me, so I took extra sandwiches from the wake. Is that bad?

We’ve done worse… So, how do you find the British audiences?

Audiences in America seem to be heavier, but that could just be me. I know I’m heavier.  And there’s also a difference in accent, but you don’t notice it here because people here don’t talk during the show as much, which is really quite refreshing.

And British people? Any favourite famous Brits? 

I really love that man on top of Nelson’s Column.  He’s just so neat and he really cuts a striking figure up there. It reminds me of those necklaces with the little man on the cross. I’ve always liked those.

You crazy Americans almost have a national obsession with our royalty and the Queen. What would you love to ask her if you ever get to meet her?

Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?

Your look has been referred to as a ‘train wreck in heels’. Is this a fair assessment? 

I’m always asked that, and I’m not sure why. Does it always have to be a train WRECK? Once, just once, could I not just be a train in heels? You’ve heard the saying ‘less is more’, right? Well I like to describe my look as ‘more is more’.

Who do you feel you best resemble in the public eye?

Someone recently told me that I had the personality of The Sphinx and the appearance of Buddha. Pretty neat, if you ask me!

 

• Don’t miss Dina Martina: Moribund at Soho Theatre (21 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3NE) from Tuesday 23rd October to Saturday 3rd November. For more information and to book tickets, head over to www.sohotheatre.com

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