More ham than Christmas lunch: meet The Divine Miss Bette
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“It’s camp, it’s festive and there will be more ham than Christmas lunch!”
That’s the word from Catherine Alcorn. Producer and star of the hilarious and internationally acclaimed cabaret show The Divine Miss Bette.
And it’s just what we lucky yule-tiders of Canberra and Queanbeyan can expect this week at the Q Theatre! Yes, Catherine is bringing her alter ego to The Q for a world premiere of the new The Divine Miss Bette Christmas Special.
And without a doubt, I’m in!
I’ve been a Bette Midler tragic since first hearing The Rose around a campfire during a year seven camp at the Hume Weir. Yes, I know. Emphasis is on the tragic. You can imagine the heartbroken angst. And candles.
However, that aside I’ve also been hearing about The Divine Miss Bette show for the last ten years! Just ask my cousin Caroline. She saw it at the Opera House and according to her: “EVERYONE in Canberra should buy a ticket!”
Yet for one reason or another, (AKA work and kids), I have not been able to get my legs to stop long enough to plant my bottom in a seat anywhere to enjoy it.
In 2019 however, we triumph!
Thanks to a sabbatical from 9-5 employment and this being my first ‘School Free’ Christmas in twenty years, my butt will finally be joining some friends and a good helping of Christmas relief for opening night this Wednesday at The Q.
The good news is that you can make a dash for this temporary oasis of levity, laughter and world-class entertainment too.
And if neither Catherine, Caroline nor I can convince you to nab that ticket now, let’s see if the Divine Miss Bette herself can.
I took the opportunity to have a bit of a yarn with her about the show and God bless her, this is how it all went down…
Me: Miss Bette, I understand that last year you toured the US AND performed in our own Sydney Opera House. Both, to sold-out shows! How are we so lucky to have you in Queanbeyan?
THE DIVINE MISS BETTE (DMB): “Yes, it will be an honour…for you to have ME in town!”
Me: The reviews say that your show is a “Must See” (LA Times) and “Absolutely Hilarious” (Time Out), but I believe your Christmas show has some extra surprises in store. Can you give us a sneak peek as to what we might expect?
DMB: “No. Buy a ticket to find out.”
Me: Lol. Fair enough.
Me: Is it true that last year your Divine Miss Bette show also WON the Best Cabaret Production, 2018 Broadway World Award?
DMB: “It certainly did. Why…haven’t you heard? I’m a BIG HIT! “
Me: Miss B, you’ve been successfully touring The Divine Miss Bette throughout Australia for ten years. Why do you think this is so?
DMB: “I mean this whole-heartedly when I say…Australian audiences are just gluttons for punishment. They can’t get enough of me!
Me: Can you tell me a bit about your assistant Catherine Alcorn? I hear she is also quite talented? Do you have any goss on her?
DMB: “I’m stuck with her. No one else will take her on! It seems I’ve trained her up with certain skills that are apparently not as transferable as she once thought.”
Me: So, will my friends and I leave your show with some extra ooomph to help us survive the next two weeks?
DMB: “You bette they will! I intend to warm the coldest of Christmas nuts. And can assure you that I will send each and every one of you home with plenty of inspiration to help you polish off your ornamental balls!”
Me: Is there anything else we should know about the Divine Miss Bette Christmas Special?
DMB: “It’s the party of the year and everyone’s invited. Yule be a fool to miss it!”
Righto then. It’s time to celebrate in style this year with a world-first, world-class hilarious night out.
I’m not waiting another year to enjoy something I deserve—and neither should you.
The Divine Miss Bette Christmas Special is at The Q Theatre from Wednesday the 18th until Saturday the 21st of December. Early bird prices are available until the 18th.
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