La Voix full of Pride for homecoming

Drag act La Voix will take centre stage at Middlesbrough Community Pride on Saturday, September 27, when more than 5,000 people are expected to converge on the town centre for Tees Valley’s biggest festival celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

For La Voix – real name Chris Dennis – it will be a homecoming to a thriving Teesside gay scene that he could never have imagined when he left home for London as an 18-year-old.

Brought up in Elmtree in Stockton, the former Egglescliffe School pupil moved to London in 1998 to study for a Drama degree at London’s Brunel University.

The vivacious singer recalled: “When I moved to London there was no gay scene on Teesside, which was one of the big reasons I moved.

“For me to come back up there now at 34, knowing that the council and community are backing a Middlesbrough Pride with a fully-fledged gay community, is just wonderful.”

La Voix, whose accolades include best drag act at this year’s London Cabaret Awards, Drag Idol 2012 and most recently the Gold Award winner for best drag act at the Boyz Scene Awards, says his young years on Teesside gave him a chance to develop his love for performance.

“I’ve always loved the performing arts and I knew from a very early age that this is what I wanted to do – though not necessarily in drag!

“If there was a school play I’d be in it, while I also loved attending a drama group at Billingham Forum. Apart from school, my first ever performance was at the Little Theatre performing ‘Singing in the Rain’ with Middlesbrough Operatic Society.”

Chris’s acclaimed alter-ego La Voix is looking forward to strutting her stuff at Middlesbrough Community Pride whilst still riding on the crest of a wave created by charismatic performances that saw her reach the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent, watched by a TV audience of 11 million.

“Britain’s Got Talent was so much fun but it also gave me a platform and took me to the next level. Bookings have gone berserk.

“Being on something like Britain’s Got Talent validates what you do. Once you’ve been on Britain’s Got Talent people take you more seriously. For me, drag is an art form that I think is wonderful and done right is really great to see.”

La Voix’s new-found fame has resulted in her working with many big stars including Ruby Wax, Pamela Anderson, Mickey Rooney, Cilla Black, Sir Ian McKellen and Brigitte Nielsen.

Looking forward to the star billing at the Pride festival, La Voix added: “I’m just really thrilled that the community and council are embracing it. I can’t wait to be there!”

September 27 promises to be a special occasion in the town’s calendar as Pride will share the limelight with Middlesbrough Live’s feast of music and comedy in venues across the town centre.

Following a midday colourful parade around the town centre, there will be a free five-hour open-air concert at Centre Square.

Hosted by Ophelia Balls, the show will also feature Tees Valley drag acts Daisy Diamond, Miss Penni and Lola Divine.

Also performing are former X-Factor stars Hannah Barrett and Kingsland Road, Pink tribute act Vicky Jackson, girl group Vanquish, soul singer Sam Dickinson and comedienne Clare Summerskill.

Organised by Middlesbrough Council, Middlesbrough Community Pride is being supported by The Big Lottery Fund, Teesside University, Middlesbrough College, housing group Thirteen, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.
For more information, visit middlesbroughcommunitypride.com, fb.com/MiddlesbroughCommunityPride2013 or Twitter @mbropride

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