Interview by Andrew Marc
Trevor Ashley is one of Australia’s hardest working performers.
The 33 year old Sydney born drag artist, writer and musical arranger already has an extensive career in cabaret, clubs and television, wowing audiences with his uncanny ‘channelling’ of female artists. He’s garnered reviews such as “A master of impersonation” – Daily Telegraph and “witty and wickedly funny” in the Musical Theatre Review. Ashley started doing drags in pubs twelve years ago in Sydney when he was a struggling cabaret artist. Drag acts are hugely popular in Sydney, and as he sung live and proved an excellent performer, his fame grew. It seems he was born for the role.
‘It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. Musical theatre was my love and from a young age and I’ve been able to perform constantly from leaving school. I never dreamed of course that most of the time I’d be doing it dressed up as a woman … but I couldn’t land a musical until Priscilla (Queen of the Desert), and now I just get to do the ones that I want to do.’ He played a staggering 600 plus performances in Priscilla as Miss Understanding.
His latest show, Liza on an E, a comic musical based on the career and exploits of Liza Minnelli is coming to Brighton at the end of this month for one day only following a successful West End debut. Liza on an E promises to ‘dish the dirt’ on the flamboyant Liza Minnelli and her off stage antics, and features a live onstage band to complete the scene. It’s described as controversial, wickedly funny but touchingly affectionate. Why Liza Minnelli?
‘I love her!’ Trevor exclaims. ‘I have since I was a kid and used to sing Ring Them Bells at singing competitions. Also – there is a great story there – her mother and father, the gay husbands, the drug abuse, Studio 54… I mean, the list goes on! I think that people love the music more than anything. You realise what an amazing catalogue of songs Liza has introduced to the world. From Cabaret to New York, New York, it’s a truly fabulous collection. I love singing them at every performance.’
The show took just two weeks to write, starting in a small Sydney cabaret room and grew from there. Ashley explained that the most difficult thing was to learn the “million lyrics” plus in-between dialogue, though says as he’s performed the show so many times now it’s become second nature.
As well as showing at the West End, he’s performed Liza on an E to regional Australian audiences, in Vienna and on gay cruise ships to international audiences, so feels confident it will play well on its current regional tour. But given that Australia still largely carries a macho image, at least outside of the main cities, I wondered what difficulties gay people faced there, especially under a very conservative government.
‘When it comes to the more rural areas, I think it’s very difficult for young people to come out still” laments Trevor. “We still don’t have equal rights in terms of marriage, and we’ve just elected the most bigoted and conservative government in Australian history … with this government, it is sending the wrong message to young people. When your Prime Minister has a lesbian sister with a partner and still doesn’t want marriage … well, we’re a lost cause. We can sing about it till our throats bleed, but without support from your own government… well, it certainly doesn’t help.’
After Liza On An E Trevor is returning home to do a concert at the Star Casino in Sydney and is then launching a new musical, as yet undisclosed. He’s also touring Asia with his Starstruck show. Hard working, hugely talented and still aiming high.
‘I dream that one day I’ll make it on Broadway … and maybe do a movie. Oh, and bring my Bassey show, Diamonds Are For Trevor to the UK also. So, just a few things to tick off. I work very hard and always have, and I think if you continue to do that you can achieve your dreams. The thing is to enjoy the ride… I never thought I’d end up here!’
