FROM ROTHERHAM, WITH LOVE…

Cabaret diva extraordinaire/sharp-tongued strumpet Myra Dubois is hurtling her way to Two Brewers for a new night of quiz and comedy, whilst preparing for a number of theatrical pursuits. We sent Lee Dalloway to have a chinwag with the hilarious lady… 

 

For anyone who hasn’t seen Myra Dubois, how would you sum her up on stage in one sentence?

South Yorkshire’s least celebrated daughter. I’ve also been known to use ‘Rotherham’s finest entertainment export since Paul Shane!’ but I dropped it because no bugger knew who Paul Shane was. I sing, I dance, I act, I do children’s parties. I’ve got showbiz coursing through my veins. That’s four sentences there, sorry.

You moved to London from Rotherham and Myra was born. How did Myra first ‘emerge’?

I was very big in amateur dramatic circles back in Rotherham, with the occasional working men’s club gig thrown in for good measure, but when I moved to London in 2008 it was in the midst of a massive cabaret boom. I noticed there were countless cabaret and burlesque nights being thrown around the capital, and I fancied some of the action, so I applied to Finger in the Pie Cabaret at Madame JoJo’s, got myself a ten minute spot and never looked back.

What can we expect from your new Monday night at Two Brewers?

It’s a quiz! I did not move down from Rotherham to host sodding pub quizzes, so whilst there will be questions and cash prizes, plus a load of tat that cost a quid from Fopp, I will also be taking to the stage and doing a few turns. As for the quiz itself, all the questions will be arts, culture and entertainment based, with nothing on sport. It’ll be like Trivial Pursuit with all the shit wedges removed.

You’re a resident at the RVT. What is it that will get those north Londoners dahn Sarf to Vauxhall to see you?

In short, the RVT is the only venue in London that will serve me my cocktail of choice; a Snakebite. So, I’m on particular form when on the RVT stage. The show is me trying out new songs and routines alongside a special guest that changes each week. I try and keep the guests as varied as possible. We’ve had Lola Lasagne, David Mills, Scottee and the Winner of Baghdad’s Got Talent. That last one is a genuine act, by the way.

What first inspired you to become a performer? 

To be honest, I can’t remember. It’s always been instinctive. I was born on the hospital reception floor and I’m told quite a crowd gathered, so I entered the world to an audience. I think I just took it from there. I played Jesus in a church play when I was a baby. Screamed the place down when they nailed me to the cross.

Which well-known performers inspire you today?

I think David Hoyle is just wonderful. He’s a modern-day Messiah. I sit there listening to him and I think, “Yes, this makes absolute sense!” and that can be terrifying. Being shortlisted alongside him at the London Cabaret Awards last year was a huge honour, even though we both lost to Jonny Woo. Phyllis Diller was and is an inspirational woman, may she rest in peace. I’m also a big fan of Michael Ball, but I’m reluctant to name check him because he never replies to my tweets.

Our glittering gay scene is full of talented and diverse cabaret performers who have many different takes on the genre. How easy do you find it to make yourself stand out from the crowd and put your own individual stamp on the scene?

I try as hard as I can to ‘keep it Myra’. Keeping my act as it is rather than tailoring it to my expectations of a venue or crowd, because I’m often wrong. I’ll sit in the dressing room and fret and think, “Oh they won’t like this, they won’t get that, they want this instead” but I find as long as you have confidence that the material is strong, it’ll work. So, I’m stubborn as a mule, that’s how I try and put my particular stamp on things.

You’re more opinionated than a number of cabaret performers on matters such as politics, particularly in your frustration of the current government. How easy do you find it to allign social commentary and pursuits of a theatrical lean on stage whilst not potentially alienating an audience? 

Audiences are often more intelligent than you give them credit for, so I just battle on with my opinions, and if anyone disagrees then we’ll have that conversation. The current crop in the Commons are a useless shower of shite and this Bedroom Tax shows just how backwards they are. That’s social ‘backwards’ and not disabled ‘backwards’, before you get any complaints! Gay Marriage is great, but it’s a distraction tactic. “Get everyone debating over this issue and they won’t realise we’re robbing them blind”. On the other hand, they’re the best thing to happen to comedians and performers in a long while; great for material. I’m voting Tory in the next election just to keep myself in jokes!

 

• Don’t miss Myra every Monday at Two Brewers (114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ). 

• Myra hosts Drag Roast 2 starring Dusty O with Kandi Kane, Rose Garden and Mzz Kimberley on Wednesday 27th February at RVT (372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall SE11). Tickets from www.rvt.org.uk 

• She will also be back later this year at RVT in March and at the Hen and Chickens Theatre in Islington in June.

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