Carlotta is arguably the most well-known and successful showgirl in Australia, and even in her 70s, she's managed to maintain every inch of beauty and grace from her cabaret days.
Taking to the stage at Brisbane Powerhouse for MELT Festival, the colourful performer put on a show teeming with glitter, glamour and enticing entertainment.
One of the main inspirations behind 'Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert', Carlotta was the first notable Australian celebrity to undergo a sex change, completing the transition in her 20s. With the freedom to finally be the woman she was born to be, Carlotta was the star in a cabaret show called 'Les Girls' in Kings Cross, and went on to be known as the 'Queen of the Cross'.
Gracing Brisbane with more costume changes than Lady Gaga, Carlotta fused hilarious stage banter with charming and comedic covers of songs like 'Lady Is A Tramp', 'My Way' and 'I'm Still Here'. Injecting one-of-a-kind dance moves and presence into an already energetic show, the performer also entered audience territory, much to the delight of die-hard fans who vied for her attention. Thankfully for them, she did in fact stop to observe a few audience members, very honestly too.
“Look at these girls in the front, my Jenny Craig rejects,” she pointed out at one stage. And “that dress is so tiny, get up so you can give everyone a look at your ass.”
Midway through the show – instead of gracefully floating off stage to signify the beginning of the interval – the diva proclaimed “I need to piss”. The 20-minute breather was needed before another round of Carlotta craziness.
The extravagant and unapologetic performer was accompanied on piano by musician Michael Griffiths, who had the perfect amount of energy to complement Carlotta's electrifying charisma. They made a magnificent duo, and towards the end of the night, Michael paid tribute to one of Carlotta's old friends, the late Peter Allen, before the Queen joined with 'I Still Call Australia Home'.
'Carlotta: Queen Of The Cross' was crazy, hilarious and all-round entertaining. She truly proved her worth as a pioneer in the Australian entertainment industry, by not only showcasing her theatrical performance style, but also demonstrating her stand-up comedy. It's crystal clear that after 50 years in cabaret this diva is exactly where she belongs.
Four out of five sequinned gowns!
