Advice From The Best

Once again, competition season is upon us. Over the coming months a raft of new acts will perform and quite possibly take to the stage for the very first time in Drag Idol, Pride’s Got Talent, Lipsync 1000 and Man Up. But what is the best advice to give to these hopeful starlets? This week Jason Reid asked the performers who have been there, done it and stood the test of cabaret time… 

 


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

 

Le Gateau Chocolat

Renee Fleming, America’s leading soprano once told me ‘Don’t listen to the noise’. She got that advice from her idol, who happens to be one of mine, Leontyne Price. Don’t ever listen to your own hype or accolades. Work hard and be ferocious about curating the best of yourself, the utmost quality, ALWAYS!

 

Mzz Kimberley 

If anything goes wrong onstage always embrace it, make it a part of your act and laugh with the audience. No one wants to see a performer upset. The show must go on no matter what.

 

Miss Hope Springs 

Best bit of advice was from my late father (the actor and director Lionel Jeffries): ‘Always leave them wanting more’. It’s an old, but hugely important, showbiz adage. Don’t be tempted to do that one number or gag more just because it’s going down well. Put your show together, work on it hard, and stick to it. If the audience get too much of a good thing they may well not come back.

 

Charlie Hides 

Eartha Kitt once told me, “Be the best YOU that you can be, no one wants to see a second rate somebody else”. I impersonate people so I clearly ignored her, but that advice still rings true I believe.

 

Lola Lasagne

The best piece of advice I ever received was to be honest with yourself as an act. When asked, ‘how did your gig go?’ too many acts start with “Oh it was packed!” which isn’t what was asked. Did your jokes/songs connect with the audience in front of you? If they didn’t, then don’t worry. They will. But admit when you’ve had an average/bad gig. If you don’t, someone else will put the facts forward. Nothing to be ashamed of. Learn from it and move on.

 

 

 

What advice would you give to your younger performer self? 

 

Jonny Woo

Work harder! A review I got in 2007 described a show I did as ‘lazy’. It cut to the bone! So just when you think you have done enough, think again and work on it even more. That is the ONLY way you will succeed. I am as impressed by good work ethic as raw talent and my career is still a work in progress and I keep telling myself to work even harder. And always be nice! It will get you a LONG way.

 

Titti La Camp 

There isn’t much I would say to my younger performer self because he had all the passion, drive and even naivety needed to succeed. The only thing I would say is that if you’re doing something that you love then beware it doesn’t consume all your time. Give time to everything else that is good in your life.

 

Dave Lynn 

When I first started out, I didn’t realise drag could be a serious career, so I would say take it more seriously and make the most of every opportunity. Oh, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

 

David Hoyle

Keep true to your instincts and intuition. Love is ALL!

 

 

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