Carlotta,
or as I know her Carol, have been friends since 1975 when I was lucky enough to
be a Les Girl. I’ve watched this seedling of an idea blossom and grow to the
fabulous celebration of Carlotta’s life this bio pic is. Based on her two memoirs; He did it her way, 1994 by James
Cockington and I’m not that kind of girl,
2003 with Prue MacSween this bio pic takes bits and pieces, binds them, shakes
them up and creates an exciting theatrical insight to what it was like to be a
drag queen, or more correctly a female impersonator as we were then, in the
sixties and seventies.
The
movie shows Carol growing up in the fifties, the gender confusion and more so
the response to it, before she flees the suburbs and begins a showgirls life
which has seen her become the most famous queen in Australia and yes ‘a
household name’. This movie handles the more confronting and challenging aspect
of this life, those out of the spotlight, with great sensitivity and gives an
accurate insight to what it is to grow up and live a Trans life.
Of
course the entertainment factor is that of Carlotta the star of Kings Cross Les Girls. Les Girls ran for three decades and the movie captures the very
sixties essence of its run. It was a
successful show and drew visitors from all over Australia and the World to
marvel “could these girls be really boys”.
Carlotta has been well received by the
critics and viewers alike. The most controversial aspect I’ve seen is that of
Carlotta was played by a girl. Shane
Jenek aka drag queen, Courtney Act, was initially linked to the project but
after a change of production company and with Carlotta on board as a consultant
the role went to Jessica Marais.
