Catia is the Programme Manager at The RVT who also produces their hit pantos. She’s originally from Italy, would love to book Beyoncé and has a talking Action Man.
Where are you from originally?
I was made in Italy, but produced in London.
And where do you live now?
I live in Hastings with my husband, only recently moved though so still consider myself a hard-edged Londoner.
What do you love about London and why?
I love the fact that we Londoners get so annoyed when people stand on the left hand side of the escalators or hesitate at the ticket barrier, it usually elicits a chorus of tutting and eye-rolling. It’s the one thing that gives us Londoners a sense of community.
What was the first gay venue you visited?
It was The Two Brewers in Clapham. I’m a south London girl and Clapham was my party stomping ground. We would always end up at the Brewers at some point for a drink. It was a very comfortable place for us. I remember being asked if I was a man in drag by a punter, I said yes.
Who would be your absolute fantasy act to book for The RVT?
Beyonce obvs.
Favourite club/bar/venue in London apart from the RVT and why?
There are too many to mention. I think at the moment I love Halfway II Heaven and Her Upstairs. They’re both doing really great stuff and I just really enjoy myself whenever I’m at those venues.
What was the last theatre show you saw, where, and what did you think of it?
I saw Joan, a one woman show starring Lucy aka LoUis Cyfer in the title role at the Oval House Theatre. It was a superb piece of theatre and Louis’ performance was incredible. It was by turns, funny, clever and deeply moving with an insight into women, gender and perceptions of gender. It was up there as one of the best theatre productions I have ever seen and I have seen A LOT.
What is your guilty pleasure and why?
Eating crisps in bed. Don’t judge me.
Biggest extravagance?
My wedding shoes which were hand-made and cost stupid pounds.
Best gift you’ve ever received and why?
A talking Action Man, you press a button on his belly and he says things like “I’ll get you Anti-Freeze – wherever you aaaaare!”
What has been the highlight of your career so far and why?
A highlight can come in many forms, mine was using my skills at dissembling on Jason Dickie. I pranked him and got him to ring Lambeth Licensing on April 1st after telling him Hugh Janus had rung and urgently required Jason to contact him at licensing. Hearing Jason repeatedly shouting ‘I need to speak to Hugh Janus, he must work there, he rang me and left a message!’ was a joy and I nearly expired laughing. Also all the amazing stuff I’ve done at The RVT particularly our panto ‘Goosed!’ this year – it was a corker.
If you could go back in time which year would you choose and why?
I would like to have been around in the disco era in New York in the 70s – that looked like one helluva party.
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to and what made it so good?
I went to a party in the early 90s in Stockwell – it was one of the best house parties I have ever been to. We got a cab there and when we got out, the pavement was reverberating with the sound of the music. I found out later the party was given by the KLF, which explained why the house resembled a club with different party rooms and why it was so amazing.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
‘If you don’t risk, you don’t gain’ – My grandmother.
Who is your LGBT+ hero and why?
I don’t have one specifically as I meet people everyday in the LGBTQ+ community that have overcome great prejudice and hardship to be who they are. My best friend came out late to her family and although she is out and they know, it is never discussed, when she told me that it made me weep. That is a hard and heroic thing to negotiate in your life.
Who are the most entertaining people you follow on Twitter and why?
@technicallyron makes me howl, he is a twitter comedian and can take people down in a tweet like he was wielding a gun and aiming straight at them. Bette Midler’s twitter is brilliant and 100% Goats @everthinggoats as I love goats. Plus that @jasonreidUK is quite a funny little fella.
Where in the world would you like to visit before you die and why?
Dave Cross’s house so I can see his chintz curtains.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?
Not to get rid of all my Ladybird books.
Go to vauxhalltavern.com for details and tickets on all RVT events and parties.
Recommended for you
