I have loved Eurovision since 1981 when I was six! I remember being transfixed as the ladies in Buck’s Fizz ripped their skirts off to reveal shorter skirts. Even then I thought what a shame it wasn’t the boys ripping their trousers off, reflecting back maybe that was an early sign of my homosexual tendencies.
But isn’t that why we homosexuals love Eurovision; it’s camp, colourful, bonkers, silly, high energy, divas galore, gorgeous men, great hair and costumes, although that one is not always true! A celebration of all things Gay! It’s like Christmas has come early for Gays!
Over the past 15 years Eurovision has actually become much more popular for all genres, identities and sexualities.
That’s the case for our show Eurovision Your Decision! It has all the ingredients that make the show so addictive.
Two hosts, four singers, powerful vocals, loads of silliness and completely bonkers! Also, in the interval the audience gets to vote for their favourite performance of the night. So we – the cast – have no idea who is going to win that evening’s show! Some of us are very competitive!
Eurovision Your Decision originated at the Jermyn street theatre in 2006, way before the days of multi-media. The Eurovision Song Contest is now a high tech event, and so is our little show! Lolz.
Hence why, 20 years later, I decided to revisit Eurovision Your Decision! I was programming the Cabaret Lounge at the much loved and much missed Above The Stag Theatre.
We did three performances in year one, eight performances in year two, and then transferred to Wonderville, Liverpool and Brighton in 2023 with two casts. Last year it went to the New Kings Head Theatre.
This year, we are at Royal Vauxhall Tavern, one of my creative homes. For the past ten years I have been so lucky to have directed the RVT panto. I love the RVT and James, John and Dave and all the staff are like family. I am so excited to be performing on that iconic stage.
Who knows what that six year old boy would have thought way back in 1981, knowing that he would actually recreate Bucks Fizz on that stage!
We are in disturbing, strange, scary times at the moment. We all need to shine our lights, celebrate who we are and be safe in our spaces, laugh, cry, boo, and feel the love of Eurovision in the room. That’s something that Eurovision Your Decision will certainly deliver.
We hope to see you.
Eurovision Your Decision is on 9 – 17 May 2025, at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY, United Kingdom.
