Trevor Ashley gives all in his first solo show in three years, I’m Every Woman, and the result is a production that’s professional, hilarious, and full of genuine presence and warmth. We’re lucky to have him back. ‘Trashley’ (well know to audiences from Priscilla the Musical, Fat Swan and Liza (on an E!) is one truly nice lad (and part-time lady), which doesn’t stop him being a complete bitch. Part memoir, part poisoned love letter to the divas glittering in his imagination since he was a little boy playing dress-ups, I’m Every Woman is Ashley paying his disrespects to ‘the business we call show’.
This reviewer is not usually a fan of drag, and so it was a treat to be so merrily entertained by such an exuberant, energetic and talented performer. I’m Every Woman is genuinely funny, rising far above the usual innuendo and camp misogyny that often characterises drag shows. Equally impressive is the emotional reaction Ashley elicits from the audience via his inhabiting the roles of numerous divas – familiar gay icons such as Judy, Liza, and Cher – and singing their defining tunes. And can Ashley sing!
As he explains, ‘I don’t do Beyoncé because I sing live. I don’t do Madonna ‘cos I sing live. I don’t do Anne Hathaway ‘cos she sings live!’ Ashley’s vocals, and the live music by a brilliant four piece band, lift this show to something world class.
Trevor Ashley has been singing from a very young age; he was five when he appeared on Johnny Young’s Talent Time, and, although his vocal range isn’t quite as wide as some of the stars he impersonates, it damn near is; his delivery is huge, tuneful and charismatic, plus he has the voice and mannerisms of each diva down pat. The Judy Garland/Liza Minnelli duet is something else again. There are some priceless moments to be savoured here – I’m Every Woman is worth seeing for the Whitney Houston segment alone; it will have you shrieking, as will the finale.
The show is peppered by reminiscences of Ashley’s early performances in Sydney pubs – he makes a point of remembering where he came from and referencing his early shows, a nicely personal narrative which is threaded throughout proceedings. There’s nothing to complain of with I’m Every Woman: you get some of the greatest songs from the greatest divas of the last 50 years or so, including a magnificent cameo from (Dame) Shirley Bassey doing ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and an exquisitely moving ‘As Long As He Needs Me’. Along the way are guest appearances from Bonny Tyler, Cher (‘a drag queen trapped in a woman’s body’), Bette Midler, a frenetic Tina Turner and even Lady Gaga. It’s a total hoot.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
Trevor Ashely’s I’m Every Woman
Directed by Dean Bryant
The Famous Spiegeltent, Arts Centre Melbourne
19 – 23 February
