VALE Robyn Lee

 We are saddened to hear of the passing of Robyn Lee. Robyn was in her early eighties and passed in care after a long period of health problems. We extend our sincere condolences to Robyn’s family and her sister showgirls.

Robyn was arguably the ultimate showgirl over an incredible 6 decades. She was referred to as the showgirls showgirl and will be greatly missed but fondly remembered.

Sometimes you hear that a performer has worked everywhere, this was the absolute case with Robyn.  There is no doubt she was a true trailblazer of the showgirl community.

From those early and now historical venues of Ivys Birdcage and the Purple Onion. To the huge success she enjoyed as an original Capricios performer, to an original Playgirl in the award winning Simone and Monique's Playgirls Review.  A great friend of Simone Troy and Monica St John, Robyn spent over 10 years in that cast.

Robyn moved on to be a long time star on the Oxford Street scene both at the Unicorn and Albury Hotels. She worked with many different casts and production shows.

Robyn performed in many of the big spectacular Mardi Gras party shows including the famous ‘I am what I am’ anniversary shows. In the late 80’s Robyn took to the RHI stage for a 6am show, where alone on stage she held the room in the palm of her hand, doing the Taylor Dayne anthem of the time.  The place went wild, and she entered Mardi Gras folklore.

Robyn will forever be linked to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the 1994 movie, where Stephan Elliott the director, persuaded Robyn to train the actor Terence Stamp for the transsexual role of Bernadette Bassenger. If you ever got the opportunity to hear Robyn, tell of her experience it was priceless.

Robyn was a great friend of DIVA through its 34 years. She was inducted to the DIVA Hall of Fame at the very first DIVA Awards at the DCM nightclub in 1991.  She performed and appeared in many of the ceremony’s over the years.

Robyn requested no funeral, but some of her dear friends, with the blessing of Robyn’s family will hold a memorial at the Stonewall hotel on a Saturday afternoon in coming weeks. Those details will be announced here when finalised.