This year Julian Clary celebrates 30 years of Camp Comedy taking his latest show, The Joy of Mincing, on an international tour.
Appearing at Perth’s Astor Theatre, Julian entertained to a packed audience, engaging them in deep and genuine laughter. After 30 years of entertaining, Julian still has it. Outrageous wit, sharp intellect coupled with authentic and endless charm. He is a joy to watch and with his melodious, gentle voice, a pleasure to listen to.
Julian introduced his show as being one of pure filth, and offered a particular type of workshop at a local carpark later in the evening. Here lies his skill and talent in making those offerings sound so very nice and proper. He expertly uses double entendre throughout his show consisting largely of storytelling about his life situations. Julian also hones in and comments on individual characteristics of his audience with one lucky fan leaving the show with a rather large zucchini and an even larger marrow.
When I first encountered Julian Clary on English TV Channel 4’s Sticky Moments twenty plus years ago, I couldn’t believe the show was allowed on television. Julian was openly very camp and outrageous. His antics with his side kick Hugh Jelly and the occasional appearance of Fanny the Wonder Dog, were very mischievous. He made reference to both Hugh and Fanny during the show. Fanny the Wonder Dog died some 18 years ago, but fans still make reference to her.
The layout of The Astor Theatre made it very easy for Julian to walk around the audience selecting people to join him on stage. He then took us on a walk down memory lane by adorning the chosen men in some of his previously loved costumes worn over the years. “Bertha the lesbian”, alias Julian’s stagehand, assisted the men into their regalia. Such flamboyance, colour and style from shows of old. Julian awarded these men an MBE just like the one he had created for himself which he wore with great pride. This prompted another of his stories about the day he met the Queen, Elizabeth II that is.
Julian has added another string to his bow becoming a novelist and writing a series of children’s books. An unusual mix of craft; risqué camp comedy and children’s author. For those who would like more of Julian Clary, he sometimes appears as a guest story book reader on ABC Kids Bookaboo. Booka is a punk rocker, drummer dog, complete with head bandana and studded neck and wrist bands. Julian is also the voice of the narrator in The Little Princess.
At 57 years of age, Julian Clary remains an entertainer of class and culture wearing his King of Camp Comedy label with authenticity and pride. His departing words of wisdom for the audience was for us to keep mincing, translated into Australian – sashaying as we walk. A word he’s used in all his tour titles and one he wishes us to introduce into our vocabulary and lifestyle.
Let’s mince…..
Clare Kat
