FIRST PERSON

I was happiest when … my daughter graduated with honours from university in California this past May. I’m so proud of her. You wouldn’t know it but … my family, The Holden Brothers Travelling Circus, played at the Theatre Royal from 1892 right through to the 1920s. I can’t wait to stand on the exact same stage as my forebears and perform my tribute to them. My

most embarrassing moment … my big fat belly hanging out as [I was dressed as] Vladimir Putin crossed with Bert Newton, on Dancing with the Stars.

The last time I cried was … at Mum’s funeral last year. She was 90 and had 80 great years and then 10 years in the purgatory of dementia. The last book I read was … L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Maniac by Bent Corydon. My favourite films are … Lawrence of Arabia and Amélie. I really want to … live long enough to meet my as-yet unborn grandchildren. My guilty

pleasure is … watching The Real Housewives of Melbourne. Life has taught me … to believe in magic and synchronicity. When one wave crashes, hold on because another magical wave is coming – you just have to keep moving forward and take positive steps large or small every day. I’m about to … world premiere my one-man show The Greatest Show on Earth at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

See Mark Holden in Sounds of the 70s at Hobart’s City Hall as part of Festival of Voices on Saturday, July 14 at 8pm. Tickets are $39. festivalofvoices.com/sounds-of-the-70s. He also stars in The Greatest Show on Earth at Hobart’s Theatre Royal on Saturday July 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets $45. theatreroyal.com.au/shows/greatest-show-earth