‘Every drag queen wants to be Cher’
THE SEARCH for a performer to play singing icon Cher in a new musical stage show is attracting 10 times more men than women, reveals Dame Arlene Phillips.
The former Strictly judge and choreographer is directing The Cher Show. Dame Arlene, 78, is recreating the Broadway hit show for the UK audience and has Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse on board as choreographer.
Dame Arlene said: “Literally the most requests I’ve had for auditions are from drag queens. It’s probably 10 to one, that’s men to women. Every drag queen wants to be Cher and do her life on stage. But they have to sing, dance and act.”
Auditions are under way for the production about the life of the 75-year-old star. It looks back over her long career, including hits I Gotyou Babe and Believe. Dame
Arlene said:“we are looking for three Chers because there are three Chers in the show, different ages. She’s a brilliant icon and pioneer for women.”
She said it will be a big challenge for those auditioning.
“It’s tough, they have got to have the voice like Cher and have Cher inside them.
“People will have to be able to express her life story.” Asked if there was a chance that a man would play Cher in the show, she said: “You never know, one day, you never know.” Dame Arlene was speaking at the premiere of the Cirque Du Soleil Luzia show at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on Thursday.
Cher, born Cherilyn Sarkisian, shot to fame in 1965 as half of the husband-wife duo Sonny & Cher.their song I Gotyou Babe topped the UK and US charts.
She has sold more than 100 million records as a solo artist, and starred in the Mamma Mia! sequel.