Leigh Buchanan’s one-man show, ‘The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan’, is a self-indulgent, raucous romp through Leigh’s life.
Recognisable as runner-up in the inaugural season of 'Project Runway Australia', Leigh tells anecdotes from his past interwoven with popular songs and lots of wickedly deliberate sexual humour. It was an enjoyable and fun show to see as part of the Queensland Cabaret Festival's line-up.
Leigh puts his design talent on show with the various costumes seen in the performance. However, what is not as widely known is his musical talent. He was a member of various choirs and puts his pipes to good use in the cabaret numbers.
The story begins with Leigh as a school boy in Ipswich, not entirely fitting in with the locals nor his family. He tells of travelling and living in the UK, searching for his biological parents and the 'Project Runway' experience. Songs are used effectively as segues between the different eras, easily blending medleys together and cleverly changing lyrics to reflect the subject at hand.
Accompanied by the talented Peta Leigh Wilson on piano, Leigh shows off his voice with adapted tunes from Madonna to Adele to 'The Little Mermaid'. A stand-out was the touching ‘Fields of Athenry/My Island (Ireland) Home’ combo. Sure, there are missed cues and forgotten lyrics but the easy interaction with the audience makes it feel as though you're hanging out with your bitchy gay best friend so all is forgiven.
With glass in hand, tongue in cheek and prudish attitudes left at the door, this is an enjoyable and fun cabaret show with a devil-may-care attitude.
