Coco
Dubois is an internationally acclaimed Compere, Singer, Actress &
Burlesque Performer hailing from London. She has been performing as
Coco for just over two years and has performed for National and
International theatre tours, the West End and countless cabaret clubs
and private events. She can currently be seen at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Stephen Sondheim's 'Merrily We Roll Along'
Coco DuBois at Proud Cabaret: Tigz Rice Studios
What
was your first experience of Burlesque or Cabaret, and what convinced
you to start yourself?
I
always knew about ‘Cabaret’. I used to sing on my landing at home
as if I was on a balcony singing to a crowd of people in a big
theatre. As for Burlesque, my first real live experience was only a
couple of years ago when I went to Proud Cabaret for my cousin
Sarah’s hen do. We went to a class first and everyone was giggling
and messing around and I remember thinking to myself “I find it
really hard not to take this seriously” because I loved it so much
and wanted to do it properly. In the evening we headed off to Proud
Cabaret. It was a Tassel Club show and I remember that Banbury Cross
was performing (still my favourite performer to this day). I was
pretty tipsy and as the night went on (and egged on by my Mother) I
went marching up to the hostess and told her that I would like to
sing in her show. She gave me once over and told me to come back next
week and audition in the show. It all went swimmingly and after time
I grew in confidence and was approached by Proud Cabaret to host.
So
Coco was born. And Sarah (our hen) went on to create Burlesque Bible
(international Burlesque magazine).
Photographer Credit: Tigz Rice Studios
How
did you choose your stage name?
I
had to pick very quickly because it all started up very quickly.
Dubois is the surname of one of my favorite characters in a play –
Blanche Dubois in Tennessee Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.
I also later realized it meant ‘Wood’ which matches my real
surname (Woodward) – a happy coincidence. As for Coco, it just kind
of fitted. When it was suggested, it felt right. Helped of course by
my utter love for Coco Chanel perfume!
Photographer Credit: Tigz Rice Studios
You
have recently moved from hosting shows into performing Burlesque acts
– what brought about this move?
It’s
something I’ve always wanted to do, for myself more than anyone
else. I’ve only created one act so far and I hope to do more in the
future but want to seriously take my time in creating them.
One
of the main reasons I created a burlesque strip tease is for my own
confidence. I adore how burlesque holds high the curvaceous woman,
burlesque should be a celebration of whatever body you are blessed
with.
I
grew up wanting to be a popstar or a famous actress and everyday came
face to face with the washboard abs of the Britneys and the
Christinas and I used to give myself a hard time believing that I
could never be like them. I struggled with eating disorders and a
warped view on health. I like to think that my stepping into
burlesque was a final ‘BOG OFF’ to all those feelings, that I can
be ME onstage and I can look HOT, whether it’s the day after
Christmas lunch or the day after a month of exercise.
I
don’t think the striptease side of things is necessarily a career
change of path for me, I’m just dipping my toes in everything to
see what I like. And how blessed am I to be able to do that?!
Photographer Credit: Tigz Rice Studios
Who
are your biggest influences/inspirations?
Oh
zillions. Of course, Marilyn Monroe, she helped me believe I could be
sexy and she’s so FUNNY. People never remember that. She has me in
stitches in every film. That girl knew what she was doing in front of
a camera. When she sings ‘My Heart Belongs to Daddy’ in an
oversized sweatshirt – PHWOAR!.
Liza
Minelli is a HUGE inspiration to me, particularly for her
acting/storytelling through song. Within a 3 minute piece of music
she takes you on a complete journey. And her vulnerability is divine.
Even at her age now. I saw her at the Albert Hall last year (on my
own, I’m very sad) and she was incredible. And happy to take the
mickey out of herself too.
Non-performer
wise I worked with a great man who has now unfortunately passed away,
Professor Bruce Kirle. He was a musical director from New York who
used to play for the likes of Chita Rivera in LaMamas back in the
day. He taught me all about the intricacies of acting through song,
telling a story, making your audience feel something and that
everything leads back to either sex or food. That’s what we humans
live for!
Marilyn Monroe ** Liza Minelli
Professor Bruce Kirle
Tell us a little about your favourite experiences so far
Oh
there are lots. An unbelievable one was when I hosted to 2000 people
in Milan in Italian. And no, I don’t speak Italian. I got my script
translated and off I went. I broke up with my fella the night before
and had had no sleep. It was all a crazy blur. I remember the words
coming out of my mouth and the Italians laughing at my jokes and I
couldn’t believe it. I also remember looking to the wings and
seeing a gaggle of British burlesque performers with their mouths
wide in disbelief that I was actually pulling it off!!!
Another
favourite time was hosting The Hurly Burly show in the West End this
summer. I had an excellent time with some fabulous ladies including
the divine Miss Polly Rae. I loved being her little fire cracker,
getting them all pumped up for her entry and performing skits and
comedy songs with the girlies.
Sometimes
though, the best nights happen when you least expect them to.
Sometimes a random Thursday night in the basement of a club in the
city can result in the best show ever. It all depends on whatever
line up you have that night, and most importantly, the eagerness of
the audience.
Another
amazing experience was filming the ‘Too Cabaret’ video with
Frisky and Mannish and many other Cabaret greats. We have such a
hard-working flourishing BLOODY LOVELY industry. When I’m older and
rich I’m going to open an old peoples home for ex-cabaret
performers. I want Mat Ricardo whipping off the table cloth under my
porridge and Betsy Rose tassel twirling in the kitchen and the
Incredible Hula Boy hula-ing while we watch Come Dine With Me.
Coco DuBois, Polly Rae, Rachel Muldoon and Peggy DeLune: Hurly Burly Press Night 2012
Have you ever had any stage nightmares?
Oh
I’m sure there’s been a few. Some I can’t actually mention on
here ;-P.
One
of my favourite times was when I was singing ‘Stormy Weather’.
I’d told the audience that I was single and this was my song of
grief and longing. As the song reached the climax, my gorgeous sound
guy pressed the wrong button and ‘Single Ladies’ by Beyonce came
BLASTING through the speakers. Needless to say I was in stitches. I
can’t even sing a song about my failed love life successfully!
Saying
that, that’s what live cabaret is and that is the utter JOY of it.
And us performers would be nothing without our incredible tech team
and stage kittens. So THANK YOU.
Coco DuBois and Taz Zebrowski: London Cabaret Awards 2012
Tell me something no one would suspect about you
I
am terrified of hosting! (I probably shouldn’t mention that on
here!!!) I mean, I’ve been performing my entire life and it’s
rare that I get nerves but MY GOD, hosting is a scary thing to do. At
the moment I’m in quite a good place where I feel I can handle
whatever is thrown at me, but it’s taken me a long time to find
that ‘happy place’. It was never something I wanted to do! When I
was just singing at the beginning of my 'Coco career' I had one gig a
week and the rest of the time I was waitressing or balloon modelling
while dressed as a mime on the streets outside Madame Tussauds. Yes.
So when the email came along asking if I could host, what do you
think the answer was!?
I’m
a firm believer in ‘Do one thing every day that scares you’ so I
guess I’m on the right track…
Photographer Credit: Tigz Rice Studios
Finally, any words of advice for newcomers to the scene?
Take
your time, nurse your craft, find what it is to be you and what you
want to present. Never rush an act, and storytelling is the best way,
be it through song or movement. Saying that, don’t take TOO long,
come on in! Welcome! The more the merrier, and the water’s lovely.
Photographer Credit: Garry Lake
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