Theatre Review: O Come All Ye Divas

O Come All Ye Divas

Starring Christina Bianco

Presented by Trevor Ashley

Sydney Opera House Studio until December 15

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

So many gay icons, so little time, especially at Christmas.

Trevor Ashley is producing “O Come All Ye Divas” starring the New York, classically trained and enormously talented Christina Bianco.

Our favourite Christmas songs were performed by impressive impressions of Liza Minnelli, Olivia Newton-John, Ariana Grande, Adele, Gwen Stefani, Barbra Streisand, Idina Menzel, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, a two-second version of Cher, an amazing Shirley Bassey, Christina Aguilera and Bianco’s favourite performer, Judy Garland. Her Celine Dion was stupendous.

Through uncannily accurate impersonations, Bianco read the 1957 Dr Seuss book, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” as Miley Cyrus, Kath from “Kath and Kim”, Karen Walker from “Will and Grace”, and the ever-annoying Kathy Griffin.

A highlight came when Bianco threw bon bons into the audience. Half had songs printed inside and the other half had singers printed inside. One person called out the name of a singer or a song and another called out the song or the singer. Bianco had to sing the song in the style of the nominated singer. The fascinating combinations turned out to be “All I Want For Christmas Are My Two Front Teeth” in the style of Shakira, Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” performed by Edith Piaf and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” in the style of Julie Andrews.

My companion on opening night is a professional singer and she said that Bianco hit every note with absolute accuracy and certainty; an impressive and challenging feat when you consider that she was performing as other singers and that some of the songs were balladic.

“O Come All Ye Divas” is a fantastic show for all demographics, but I can already hear the buses in convoy from Oxford Street traveling down to the Sydney Opera House. You’d better book soon because it’s a brief run.

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