NEWSFLASH:
"Darling hold on to ya heels and wigs," says Velma Celli. "I'm changing the venue for tonight's fabulous soirée from the Railway Institute to Thomas's of York.
"I won't bore you with the details but Thomas's is just a five-minute totter away from the old venue."
WEST End cabaret star Velma Celli, alias York performer Ian Stroughair, returns to her home city tonight.
For one night only, Velma and her London team will transform Museum Street gay bar Thomas's of York into a fabulous cabaret speakeasy to house The Velma Celli Show.
Ian last performed in York in February 2014 as Angel Dumott Schunard in the 20th anniversary concert tour of the Broadway musical Rent at the Grand Opera House.
Tonight, in the guise of Velma Celli, he promises "an extraordinary evening of cabaret, laughs and frivolity, all glued together with one incredible singing voice, in the intimate setting of the Railway Institute".
Ian has enjoyed a varied career in television, film and musical theatre, starring in the West End shows Cats, Fame and Chicago. This year, he has appeared in Velma Celli guise in the BBC1 soap opera EastEnders and shot the feature film Night Of The Lotus for release in 2016; last winter, he played the lead role of over-the-top cabaret singer Irish O'Flanagan in Charles Busch's Christmas fairytale, Times Square Angel, at the Union Theatre, London.
In 2014, Ian co-wrote and co-starred in the award-winning Divallusion at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he earned the coveted spot of the closing act on the BBC's Best of the Festival concert.
The Velma Celli Show was the very first drag show to be given a residency at the London Hippodrome, one of Britain's most prestigious cabaret venues. Velma was nominated for best vocal act in the 2013 and 2014 London Cabaret Awards.
Tonight, doors open at 7.30pm for the 8pm start. Tickets are on sale online at ticketweb.co.uk/event/194735
Velma Celli takes the mic
Just A Quickie with Ian and Velma...
How would you describe The Velma Celli Show to the uninitiated?
"The Velma Celli Show is a cabaret revue show comprising of a collective mix of music that we all know and love.
"From Bassey to Beyonce and everything in between, I hope to have the audience moving between crying with laughter to broken hearted at the drop of one of Velma's very stylish hats.
"With impressions of the popular divas we all know and love, such as Tina Turner and Cher, and stripped-back acoustic versions of pop songs in ways you have never heard them before, Velma's show really hits the spot."
How did you create the persona of Velma Celli?
"I didn't create Velma. A much higher power did: '.... and on the eighth day God created Velma'."
Where does Ian Stroughair end and Velma Celli begin?
"Ian ends at the click of the stage door and then Velma takes over. It's almost like an out-of-body experience involving a ton of make-up, glue, wigs and whole load of sequins."
How long does it take to prepare for each Velma Celli performance?
"Lots of rehearsing in the weeks beforehand leading up to a performance. On the night itself, around two hours of pain."
Will you feel any additional pressure presenting Velma Celli in your home city?
"The opposite. Everyone has been so supportive of me bringing my show up here. I simply cannot wait. Get me on that stage, pronto!"
What do you recall of your experiences of growing up in York and what led you to the stage life?
"York is a lovely place to grow up in. I am very fortunate to have loyal and supportive family and friends around me. Singing and acting was something that has been in me from the day I popped out.
"Luckily for you, you only have to see my show now and then, whereas my poor mother and sisters had to endure it 24-7."
Life's a drag for Velma Celli
Rumour has it you might be planning to open a cabaret club in York. Is that true? If so where and when?
"I'm delighted to announce that it's true! I will announce when and where at my show!"
What's coming next for you after your York show?
"I'm being flown out to the Seychelles to do my solo show (I know, it's a hard life, but someone has to...). Also, I'm dragging my good friend and West End superstar Kerry Ellis out of the Big Smoke down to Southampton to appear as my guest on a concert there. And then it's quite busy for me for the rest of the year, but poor Velma has barely a moment to shave. I won't say where."
And finally, what does it take to be a good drag act?
"Balls!"
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