Trevor Ashley Double D's: Two Decades of Divadom

Overview

He has been the body, voice and spirit behind some of Australian musical theatre and cabaret's most memorable and vibrant characters. But there is one role that Trevor Ashley doesn't take on stage very often: himself. On Saturday, September 22, he plans to do just that, taking to the stage at City Recital Hall for an intimate look back at his time in show business — with a few impersonations thrown in for good measure.

It's difficult to find a performative pie that Ashley hasn't had his finger in over the course of his 20-year career. Writer, director, actor and cabaret all-rounder, he's probably best known for his performances as Monsieur Thénardier in Les Misérables, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical.

But he's also found no end of acclaim with his independent works: a series of arch and saucy adult pantomimes titled Fat Swan, Little Orphan TrAshley and, most recently, The Bodybag.

Having never performed at Sydney's City Recital Hall, Ashley's leaving nothing to chance. Armed with an array of anecdotes, an eight-piece band and an arsenal of songs, he promises that Double Ds: Two Decades of Divadom will be a tornado of spangles, sass and soaring high notes. And while this is technically a one-man act, you can expect to meet a number of different characters throughout the night, namely Liza Minnelli, Cher and Shirley Bassey.

Sure, this is a retrospective. But it's also Australia's cabaret matriarch showing with brio and glamour why the throne has been his for the last two decades.

Tickets for Trevor Ashley Double Ds start from $50 for under 30s. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the City Recital Hall website.