The road to becoming an established cabaret artist hasn’t been an easy one for Stephanie Von Clitz, but like a true pro her perseverance has paid off. This Saturday the Clitz celebrates five years as a drag artist with a night of song and laughter at Soho’s Admiral Duncan. I spoke to the man behind the Dorset tart with a heart, Steven Banks, this week…
Happy Anniversary! Five years in drag; does it feel like that long?
It feels like I’ve been doing it for ages, but it’s been a hell of a roller coaster and I’ve learnt so much in that time.
Why has it been a roller coaster?
Because it took quite a while to get myself going and established. There were a lot of highs and lows along the way and in all honesty; as an artist, you learn so much from those knocks. They make you stronger, more determined and a better person.
What have you learnt?
I’ve learnt to surround myself with good people, to always do my job to the best of my ability, and most of all to be a humble person.
Why is humility important to you?
It’s important to me because I believe it makes you more approachable and people feel more comfortable coming to see you perform. The last thing I’d want is for people to feel intimidated by me. That’s not who I am. For me, it’s about striking up a honest bond with the audience and venues.
What was that very performance like? How did you feel?
It was a Drag Idol heat. I was dressed in a crazy purple wig with a bizarre star drawn under my eye. I was so nervous as I walked down the stairs of CXR singing Cabaret. Thankfully Bette Rinse took me under her wing.
Bette was your mentor for quite a while, wasn’t she?
Yes, she encouraged me to keep going even though I was doubting myself, and I really did have periods of huge self-doubt. These can be so crippling for a performer. I was very lucky to have someone like Bette to give me a hypothetical kick up the arse when I needed it. Throughout Bette’s time at Halfway to Heaven she kindly opened up the stage to me so that I could develop my act and the character of Stephanie.
“In the beginning there were times when I thought ‘am I actually good enough to do this?’”
Did you ever want to give up?
In the beginning there were times when I thought ‘am I actually good enough to do this?’ I would imagine every performer has gone through that same thought process at one time of another.
What kept you going?
As well as the encouragement from my close friends, it’s the audiences that kept me going. To see them enjoying my show is a very special feeling. Giving joy to others has got to be a good thing, right?
Over the past five years you’ve also entered various competitions. Were they a good vehicles for Stephanie’s evolution?
They helped me to become a more polished and technical performer. Receiving constructive feedback from industry experts also enabled me to see and work on things that I was unaware of myself.
What can we expect at Saturday’s anniversary show at the Admiral Duncan?
I’ll be performing with Rose Garden and The Bear Lady and throughout the evening I’ll be recreating my (shocking) looks from over the past five years. I’m told there’s going be a few surprises too. I’m so looking forward to celebrating with you all!
• Stephanie Von Clitz’s Five Year Drag party is at Admiral Duncan on Saturday 9th from 8pm.
