The doyenne of entertainment, Patti Boulaye, recently described as “A bundle of fizz” is back with her new one-woman show “I’m Coming Out”. This fascinating show strongly features the fabulous music of Diana Ross interspersed with Patti’s humorous comparisons and contrasts between Patti’s own life and Diana’s. Stephen Vowles asked Patti more about her music and her show which is at Crazy Coqs in Soho on 21st September and on tour in the UK.
Are you excited about performing in front of an intimate audience that Crazy Coqs normally generates compared to a larger venue?
I have always loved intimate audiences. It is easier to connect and be one with your audience. You can see their eyes and almost hear their thoughts. Even in larger venues I try to go into the audience, but at Crazy Coqs I can touch them, feel them and make it as much a party atmosphere as possible, in addition to the performance. That’s why I am looking forward to the night.
What have been your main musical influences?
My musical influences are from very varied styles. From my roots in traditional Africa music to my father’s love of Benny Goodman and Tchaikovsky to my mother’s love of Satchmo (Louis Armstrong) Bessie Smith and Ella Fitzgerald, my early favourites, Michael Jackson, James Brown and film musicals, The Sound of Music, South Pacific and Mary Poppins, plus artistes like Bette Midler, Cher, Judy Garland, Elvis Presley. The list goes on. Music is indeed the fruit of the spirit, so when touring the world, I try to understand the music of each country in order to get to know the people.
Do you have a passion for soul-disco?
I love soul-disco music because it helped to define the direction that my generation was going, and established the mindset for our entertainment.
What made you decide to do a tribute, homage if you will, to Diana Ross?
“I’m Coming Out” is neither a tribute nor a homage to Diana Ross. It is simply an entertaining way of telling the audience my life story, using songs that they are very familiar with. Since entertainment is about the audience, to avoid being self-indulgent, I like to sing songs that the audience know well and can sing along with me.
When I released my autobiography “The Faith of A Child” it was the first time I had gone public about my experiences as a war child, during the Biafran War. And so I decided to tell the audience my story and experiences in a series of life shows that include songs and storytelling. The first shows “Billie & Me” and “Aretha & Me” enabled me to humorously compare my life experiences with those of these two great ladies. “I’m Coming Out” is the same format and includes songs by Diana Ross and the Supremes as well as other artists in addition to songwriters and composers.
Please tell Boyz readers about the current tour and where they can catch you?
This “I’m Coming Out” tour is going to venues all over the UK starting in London at the Crazy Coqs. It is a show for the audience and by the audience because I want each night to be interactive and fun. I want my audience to get dressed, look gorgeous, dance and party with me. Towards the end of the show I invite some members of the audience to come and join me on the stage for the dance numbers. It’s always fun. Some people just love to be on the stage and others are shy, but fun is what we have. I will publish all the dates of the tour on my website, pattiboulaye.com as they are released.
Patti Boulaye’s “I’m Coming Out” show is at Crazy Coqs on Wednesday 21st September; Brindley Theatre, Runcorn on Wednesday 12th October; Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 26th November and many more to come. Full details at https://www.pattiboulaye.com/
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