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Scotsman
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
My Festival: Frisky: ‘Should Like A Virgin be performed as a thrash metal song?'
Cabaret queen, 'non-stop show pony' and one half of Fringe veterans Frisky & Mannish on reinterpreting Madonna as thrash metal and the dangers of performing under the influence of cold and flu medication Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There are thousands of shows in Edinburgh this month. Please tell us why we should come and see yours. Being (dare I say) middle-aged, I've not only seen, but also performed around a million shows, at the Fringe and all over the world. I've been a non-stop show pony since I first tottered up Leith Walk in full drag in 2008. So why see my Fringe show? Because I know what makes a good one. You're in experienced hands, friends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What will we learn from your show that we didn't know before? Frisky's Reshuffle is a great big musical play date – we have some songs, and you tell us how to play and sing them. Or we have some styles, and you tell us what song we should do. And in the end we learn that joy doesn't come from perfection, but from taking risks, leaping off the edge, and generally being a joyful idiot. And if you want to do some leaping yourself, there's the chance to do that with me in the show – so it's very possible that you'll learn things about yourself that you didn't know before. And if not, we'll learn whether or not Like A Virgin should ever be performed as a thrash metal song. Laura Corcoran aka Frisky | Contributed Who or what was the biggest inspiration for your show? My brother and I would pass the time around the piano as kids, playing musical theatre songs in ridiculous ways – the oom-cha I Dreamed A Dream was a particular favourite. He's now a West End Musical Director (about to set off on tour with Matilda – be sure to catch it in Edinburgh March 2026), and I am still doing basically the same thing. Some may recall the duo Frisky & Mannish, and yes, it's me off of that. That was very much in a similar vein, and we had an improvised section in our show last time we visited the Fringe. I just love when the audience gets to join in the game, and play with us, so that's very much what this show is. What's the best review you've ever had, and the worst? Frisky & Mannish were extremely blessed with great reviews (I think we were in the top 5 rated shows almost every year we performed at the Fringe, but no one likes a bragger), but my most memorable good review was probably the first I ever saw in print, when I was performing at the Fringe as a student in 2004. It was a fabulously shonky production of Guys & Dolls, and it read, 'Laura Corcoran, as Miss Adelaide, becomes the star.' I mean, who doesn't want to hear that they're a star?! Thank you, ThreeWeeks. And my worst review was from Melbourne Comedy Festival, I don't remember the exact wording, but it was something about Mannish being funnier than Frisky (not untrue, tbf) and, at a particularly vulnerable moment, my mum decided to read it to me over the phone. You can't beat a northern mum for keeping you humble. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Make sure you keep up to date with Arts and Culture news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here. Who or what are you most excited about seeing this year? I'm mostly looking forward to seeing my mates! Specifically Matthew Floyd Jones as Musical Director for Jess Robinson: Your Song (6.05pm, Assembly Piccolo, until 24 August); Kirsty Mann's work-in-progress follow-up to her 2024 smash Skeletons, called Corpse (11.40am, Summerhall, until 10 August); as well as all the fabulous cabaret and circus that's on, especially La Clique (6.30pm, The Famous Spiegeltent, until 24 August). Who do you most like spending time with in Edinburgh? Not to be too soppy, but I love spending time with my daughter at the festival. I never dived into kids theatre before having one of my own, and it's such a joy to discover it with her now. Some of the most beautiful, most creative, and stupidest shows I've seen are kids shows. There's also so much great stuff for kids in Edinburgh in general, the museums are fantastically accessible, and there are so many activities around. You can't get swallowed whole by the festival when you have your family with you, which I think is an excellent thing. You get to enjoy the fringe and the city through their eyes too. It's rather magical, actually. Tell us something about you that would surprise people. I now live in the middle of absolutely nowhere in France, doing the whole farmhouse renovation thing. So, when I'm not belting my wotsits off on stage in full glam, I'm in overalls sanding beams and painting windows. It's nowhere near as romantic as it sounds either, to be honest. I have many muscular complaints. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the best and worst things that have happened to you at a festival? The best thing that happened to me at the Fringe, aside from launching my career and getting an amazing agent and a tour and all that fabulous stuff, was crossing the Meadows in costume, only to see my ex-boyfriend from when I was 16 walking the other way. We got about 10m away from each other, then both turned around, in disbelief. It was lovely to see him, and I looked stunning because of the six inches of make-up. Very unexpected, very satisfying. The worst thing was getting swine flu in 2009, and having to cancel shows right as we were having our moment. I got through the last couple with the help of Benylin and Sudafed, but I accidentally slightly overdosed the latter, which, it turns out, is basically speed. So if you saw the last shows of Frisky & Mannish in 2009, I was off my face. What's the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night? More often than not, I'm jumped on by a gorgeous six-year-old first thing in the morning, and I try to get in as many snuggles as I can before she whispers, extremely loudly and right in the ear-drum: 'LET'S GET OUT OF BED.' And last thing, I listen to an audiobook, right now it's Normal Women by Philippa Gregory, a fabulous run-down of the role of women throughout history. I highly recommend it, and if it doesn't turn you into a radical, inclusive feminist, nothing will. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thanks for the interview! We'd like to buy you a drink. Where are we going and what are we drinking? We're going to a proper PUB! Living in France, I miss pubs more than I ever imagined. And we're having a pint of something local. Can't beat a local brew.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Trump watches 'Les Miserables', tale of revolt and oppression
President Trump and First Lady Melania attend 'Les Miserables' opening night at the Kennedy Center on June 11. Photo: AP It's a tale of revolutionary fervour, featuring street protesters manning the barricades against a repressive leader. And watching from the audience was US President Donald Trump. Trump's appearance at the opening night of the hit musical Les Miserables at the renowned Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday night could hardly be more politically charged. The 78-year-old Republican recently orchestrated a conservative takeover of the famed arts venue, reportedly prompting some Les Mis cast members to boycott the show. The performance of the show, set against the backdrop of revolutionary 19th century France, comes as the United States itself faces fresh turbulence in its second-biggest city. "I couldn't care less. Honestly, I couldn't. All I do is run the country well," Trump told reporters when asked about a boycott as he arrived with First Lady Melania Trump. "And we're going to have a safe country, we're not going to have what would have happened in Los Angeles. Remember, if I wasn't there... Los Angeles would have been burning to the ground." Trump, who was joined by Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance at the premiere, has recently sent in troops to deal with protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles. California officials accuse him of "dictatorial" behaviour and of manufacturing a confrontation by deploying thousands of National Guard troops and US Marines. "I think the irony is probably lost on him," Peter Loge, director of George Washington University's School of Media, told AFP. The social injustice portrayed in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel - coupled with songs such as Do You Hear the People Sing? and I Dreamed A Dream - has long resonated with audiences around the world. 'I love the songs' Billionaire Trump, who had announced his decision to attend Les Miserables before the Los Angeles protests erupted, says he too has long been a fan. The real estate tycoon has played songs from the show at his rallies and political events. "I love the songs, I love the play," Trump told Fox News Digital last week. Asked which of the play's characters he most identified with, however, Trump punted to his wife. "That's a tough one... you better answer that one, honey," Trump replied. His attendance is yet another show of strength after installing himself as chairman of the centre and replacing the entire board with loyalists in February. Loge said Trump's presence there was part of a broader effort at image-making by the reality TV star-turned-president. " Les Mis is a great spectacle. And it sounds smart. It's not just a show, it sounds like it stands for something," he said. Trump's takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center faced opposition in some quarters. A historically bipartisan-supported institution, it has never been led by a US president before. Hit show Hamilton cancelled its run there in response. Trump countered by saying he had "never liked" the rap musical, which is about the birth of the United States and its first treasury secretary. Several key figures at the Kennedy Center - including TV producer Shonda Rhimes who created Grey's Anatomy and musician Ben Folds - resigned from their leadership positions. And the Vances - Usha Vance is one of the new board members - were booed by the Kennedy Center audience at a performance of the National Symphony Orchestra in March. Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center comes amid a broader assault on what he deems "woke" programming at cultural institutions, including the famed Smithsonian museums, as well as universities. - AFP
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Modest life of BGT's biggest star Susan Boyle revealed including £5 scampi & chips meals despite being worth £22m
Susan Boyle has declared she is set to make a stunning music return THE REAL SUSAN Modest life of BGT's biggest star Susan Boyle revealed including £5 scampi & chips meals despite being worth £22m SHE'S sold 25million records and is about to launch a musical comeback, but little else has changed for Britain's Got Talent legend Susan Boyle. Despite having an estimated £22million in the bank, the singer follows the same routine she fell into long before she became world-famous 16 years ago. 4 Millionaire singer Susan Boyle still enjoys £5 meals at her local fish and chip shop Credit: Tom Farmer 4 Susan shot to fame with her stunning audition on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 Credit: Rex Susan, 64, often hops on the bus before carrying bags of shopping back to her four-bed council house. Lunch is her favourite scampi and chips that costs £5.05 at a local cafe in her hometown in West Lothian, Scotland. Karen McClure runs a cafe that was Subo's favourite karaoke pub until it was converted into a restaurant eight years ago. She said: 'Susan still pops in now and again for a roll and square (a square sausage and bun) and a cup of tea. She always sits in the same chair at the back and she's happy to chat with me and the other customers. 'A few years back, she ended up joining a French man on his table and she was speaking fluent French. Global phenomenon 'I couldn't believe it. She can speak five languages. She told me that she was learning Mandarin at that time. 'She also did a degree a few years back, after she rose to fame. It's just incredible. 'She goes down to the local music shop and sifts through the records. She seems happy in her life.' The daughter of a miner and a shorthand typist, Susan shot to fame aged 47 on the 2009 season of BGT. 'I'm back' cries Scots superstar as she announces major music return Revealing that she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed, no one could have predicted the global phenomenon she would become when she took to the stage in Glasgow while wearing a gold dress. But her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables became a social media sensation and led to BGT being named the world's most successful reality TV format by Guinness World Records. Judge Simon Cowell said: 'No one knew who this lady was. "She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on the show and within 48 hours the clip had 500million views. We sold the format to more than 30 countries after that. It was unbelievable.' This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. Susan's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, became the UK's best-selling record of all time following its release in 2009. The unlikely star made eight albums in total and performed for Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2019, but her parents never got to toast her success. Her mum Bridget died aged 91 in 2007 and her dad Patrick passed away in the 1990s. Last month, Subo announced she has returned to the recording studio for the first time in six years to work on new material. 4 Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell was blown away by Susan Boyle's incredible voice The comeback, which she has been teasing to her 144,000 followers on Instagram, is remarkable given that she suffered a stroke in 2022 which reportedly affected her speech. One industry source told The Sun on Sunday: 'This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. 'She's always wanted to do a documentary and let people into her world and she's so excited for what's to come. "She's told everyone she knows that she's ready for a biggie.' However, while the star is thriving, the place she calls home, once a bustling mining town, has fallen into decline. A number of shops have closed and her favourite Jolly Roger pub is no more, meaning she has to travel to the next-biggest town outside Edinburgh to sing karaoke. This could pose a problem for Subo, who still has not passed her driving test despite recently buying a new VW car, according to one source. And her modest lifestyle is well documented. After winning BGT, she paid £65,000 to buy the semi-detached, pebble dash council house she grew up in. In 2010, she also splashed out on a £300,000 five-bed new-build on the other side of town, but she never settled and soon returned to her old family pad. Four years later, she bought the house next door for £110,000, later combining the two properties to create her dream home. Besotted fans still travel miles to turn up at her front door. But locals believe she has still yet to receive her first kiss because — they say — she has never had a boyfriend.
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Modest life of BGT's biggest star Susan Boyle revealed including £5 scampi & chips meals despite being worth £22m
SHE'S sold 25million records and is about to launch a musical comeback, but little else has changed for Britain's Got Talent legend Susan Boyle. Despite having an estimated 4 Millionaire singer Susan Boyle still enjoys £5 meals at her local fish and chip shop Credit: Tom Farmer 4 Susan shot to fame with her stunning audition on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 Credit: Rex Susan, 64, often hops on the bus before carrying bags of shopping back to her four-bed council house. Lunch is her favourite scampi and chips that costs £5.05 at a local cafe in her hometown in West Lothian, Scotland. Karen McClure runs a cafe that was Subo's favourite karaoke pub until it was converted into a restaurant eight years ago. She said: 'Susan still pops in now and again for a roll and square (a square sausage and bun) and a cup of tea. READ MORE SUSAN BOYLE She always sits in the same chair at the back and she's happy to chat with me and the other customers. 'A few years back, she ended up joining a French man on his table and she was speaking fluent French. Global phenomenon 'I couldn't believe it. She can speak five languages. She told me that she was learning Mandarin at that time. 'She also did a degree a few years back, after she rose to fame. It's just incredible. Most read in Celebrity 'She goes down to the local music shop and sifts through the records. She seems happy in her life.' The daughter of a miner and a shorthand typist, 'I'm back' cries Scots superstar as she announces major music return Revealing that she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed, no one could have predicted the global phenomenon she would become when she took to the stage in Glasgow while wearing a gold dress. But her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables became a social media sensation and led to BGT being named the world's most successful reality TV format by Guinness World Records. Judge Simon Cowell said: 'No one knew who this lady was. "She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on the show and within 48 hours the clip had 500million views. We sold the format to more than 30 countries after that. It was unbelievable.' This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. Susan's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, became the UK's best-selling record of all time following its release in 2009. The unlikely star made eight albums in total and performed for Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2019, but her parents never got to toast her success. Her mum Bridget died aged 91 in 2007 and her dad Patrick passed away in the 1990s. Last month, 4 Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell was blown away by Susan Boyle's incredible voice The comeback, which she has been teasing to her 144,000 followers on Instagram, is remarkable given that One industry source told The Sun on Sunday: 'This year and next are going to be massive for her as she releases new songs and shows off another side to her. 'She's always wanted to do a documentary and let people into her world and she's so excited for what's to come. "She's told everyone she knows that she's ready for a biggie.' However, while the star is thriving, the place she calls home, once a bustling mining town, has fallen into decline. A number of shops have closed and her favourite Jolly Roger pub is no more, meaning she has to travel to the next-biggest town outside Edinburgh to sing karaoke. This could pose a problem for Subo, who still has And her modest lifestyle is well documented. After winning BGT, she paid In 2010, she also splashed out on a £300,000 five-bed new-build on the other side of town, but she never settled and soon returned to her old family pad. Four years later, she Besotted fans still travel miles to turn up at her front door. But locals believe she has still yet to receive her first kiss because — they say — she has never had a boyfriend. 4 Susan Boyle is making preparations for her long-awaited comeback to the music industry Credit: PA:Press Association
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Simon Cowell reveals shock act he credits for making Britain's Got Talent a global success
The performance was seen by more than 500 million people within a few days. SIMON Cowell has credited one act with being responsible for the global success of his Got Talent TV format. The talent show boss said the singer's first appearance on Britain's Got Talent was the sole reason he was able to sell the show to more than 30 countries. 3 Simon on latest series of BGT with fellow judge Amanda Holden Credit: ITV Cowell said the star's first audition in Glasgow came at a crucial time as social media was just taking off and it was seen by more than 500 million people within a few days. The performance led to huge demand for the show from TV channels all over the globe and Got Talent has been named the world's most successful reality TV format ever by Guinness World Records. And Simon told how that success is down to the life-changing viral performance from Susan Boyle back in 2009. Boyle, of Blackburn, West Lothian, auditioned for the ITV series at the age of 47 and revealed she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed. She took to the stage wearing a gold frock in front of a sceptical audience and judging panel and stunned them with her incredible performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables. Cowell, 65, said: "No one knew who this lady was. "She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on Britain's Got Talent and within 48 hours the clip had 500 million views. "You have to think about that and go 'it's hard to describe, but it's the most unbelievable feeling.' "We sold the show to 30 more countries after that. It was unbelievable." Cowell was speaking to US entertainment site Deadline about the success of the talent show format to mark the 20th anniversary of America's Got Talent. AGT judges and fans break down in tears after watching the 'best audition of all time' in new post (reshared Susan Boyle's audition).mp4 Britain's Got Talent debuted in 2007 and versions of the show have since been broadcast in multiple countries including Iran, Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Cowell has previously said Boyle's audition is his favourite of all time and it taught him to "never judge a book by its cover". Boyle, now 64, was catapulted to fame after her audition and has since released eight albums and sold over 20 million records. Earlier this month she revealed she is to make a musical comeback after fearing she would never sing again following a stroke. The Scots singer has returned to the recording studio for the first time in six years to work on new material. 3 Susan Boyle has turned into a world famous singer since her audition. Credit: Getty 3 Her performance ensured the show would become a major hit. Credit: Handout In April 2022 she suffered a major stroke which left her unable to speak and sing properly, with significant muscular weakness down one side. After undergoing intensive vocal coaching lessons, which helped restore her speech and singing voice, she is now planning to release new music and go on tour again.
