...no, it's the story of my life.
CAMP: "A cornucopia of frivolity, incongruity, theatricality, and humour." "A deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavored, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love." "The lie that tells the truth." "Ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or homosexual; pertaining to or characteristic of homosexuals."
Thursday 31 October 2024
Sunday 27 October 2024
Thou comest, Autumn
Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,
With banners, by great
gales incessant fanned,
Brighter than brightest silks of Samarcand,
And
stately oxen harnessed to thy wain!
Thou standest, like imperial
Charlemagne,
Upon thy bridge of gold; thy royal hand
Outstretched
with benedictions o'er the land,
Blessing the farms through all thy
vast domain!
Thy shield is the red harvest moon, suspended
So long
beneath the heaven's o'er-hanging eaves;
Thy steps are by the farmer's
prayers attended;
Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves;
And,
following thee, in thy ovation splendid,
Thine almoner, the wind,
scatters the golden leaves!
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Oh, no!
British Summer Time (for what it was worth) is over for another year.
No light evenings from now until March 2025...
Saturday 19 October 2024
I made my own lane
I made my own lane. I worked and still work as hard as anyone can, and I love each person who supported me and cares about me for me. I love performing. I still take dance lessons, and when I sing to people in the theatre, I’m not giving a performance - I’m sharing my love with each individual person. I’m asking, “This is how I feel. How ’bout you?” My work is real.
No! She's not dead...
Our Patron Saint of Pizzazz Liza's very much still with us - as this fabulous interview/conversation with her long-time friend Michael Feinstein confirms:
Thursday 17 October 2024
Razzle Dazzle no more
It is with tears in our eyes that we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Patron Saint of Bugle Beads Miss Mitzi Gaynor, who has razzle-dazzled her way off to Fabulon today.
The star to end all stars, she shimmied, shook and high-kicked her way through myriad musicals, TV specials and award ceremonies in her long, long career - her screen legacy includes such classics as My Blue Heaven, There's No Business Like Show Business, Anything Goes, Les Girls and, of course, South Pacific. We are going to miss her terribly!
RIP, Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, aka Mitzi Gaynor (4th September 1931 - 17th October 2024)
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Diamonds are forever...
Dame Shirley Bassey’s vintage 1960s Van Cleef and Arpels diamond ring with brilliant-cut diamonds, which was given to her by Sir Elton John.
Necklace featuring 52 graduated diamonds.
Ruby and diamond parure with heart detail.
Her 1905 diamond brooch, poss. Cartier.
A multi-piece set featuring aquamarines, sapphires and diamonds.
Van Cleef and Arpels emerald and diamond necklace, bought by her to commemorate her first Royal Variety Performance for Queen Elizabeth II.
Dame Shirley Bassey's jewellery collection has smashed a world record in a Paris auction with all of the lots belonging to the singer selling for a collective price of 2.2 million euros (£1.8m).
I would have placed a bid, but it's not pay day 'till next week.
[click any pic to embiggen]
Sunday 13 October 2024
Spectacular Spectacles
Lordy! The "Songbird of Athens", the woman who single-handedly made glasses a fashion statement, one of the biggest-selling artists in the world (with a seven-decade career and more than 200 albums in multiple languages under her belt) - the lovely Miss Nana Mouskouri is 90 years old today!
What a huge musical legacy - here's a mere sample of her repertoire:
Many happy returns, Nana Mouskouri (born Ioanna Mouschouri, 13th October 1934)
Saturday 5 October 2024
This weekend I am mostly dressing casual...
...like Signorina Lea Periconi, tennis maven, and style icon of the 1950s and 60s, who has departed for Fabulon. The higher the hair...