A TALENTED dancer who left York for the bright lights of London’s West End will this weekend bring his self-produced show back to his home city.

After appearing in some of the best-known musicals in the world, 28-year-old Ian Stroughhair has choreographed his own drag show and now has a residency at the famous Madame Jojo’s Cabaret club in London.

Ian, who grew up in Acomb, said his first big break came when he got a part in the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Cats, followed by his West End debut in Fame.

His first drag role in the West End was in a production of Chicago, where he played Mary Sunshine.

“After playing that character I got in to this whole role of playing a woman, which I had never done before,” said Ian.

“Madame Jojo’s in London had a drag night and they asked me to do an act there. I developed the act and they gave me the dancers and I got a residency.”

Now, after gaining a huge following in London, Ian will be bringing his alter ego, Velma Celli, to the Tokyo nightclub in Toft Green on Saturday.

“I used to feel really intimidated in London; when it’s your own show all the focus is on you.

“This is the first time in my career that I have had to take the flack if things are rubbish.”

Joining Velma at Tokyo will be fellow performers Genevieve Nicole and celebrated operatic singer and comedienne Zoe Curlett, who has played some of the greatest stage musical roles including Christine in The Phantom Of The Opera, Polly in The Boy Friend and Julie in Carousel.

For more information on the Velma Celli Show, go to www.tokyo-york.com.

To buy tickets, visit www.ticketweb.co.uk