Deck the Halls with Dolly

Incomparable Drag Diva Dolly Diamond plans another Christmas in July and tells Coral Drouyn why “Tis the season to be jolly.”

Let’s face it, an Aussie Christmas is a very strange affair to anyone not born and bred here. The idea of Carol Singers in the snow, while we’re having a barbie or shelling prawns is, at best, a little anachronistic. So it isn’t all that surprising that ‘new Australians’ including Pommie ones (yes, I am guilty of that heritage) have decided that Christmas in July is the way to go. And if you are a Diva, like the Amazing Dolly Diamond, it’s inevitable that you want to make a song and dance about it.

There are rumours that Dolly herself was frightened by a Christmas Tree when she was just a girl. Her parents dressed her in a tutu (actually she was very small so it was more like a oneone) and tried to make her a living fairy on top of the tree. The pointy bit left her emotionally scarred for life. Nevertheless she will be celebrating Christmas in July again from July 14^th – 16^th , 2016 – I’m not sure if she realises that she has her opening on French Bastille Day (don’t we all!) so she needs to be careful if she gets a Frog in her throat!

The venue is the fabulous Spiegeltent - yes, the original. “I’m an original darling,” Dolly tells me, “there is no way I would settle for a cheap replica tent from Camping World.”

The Melba Spiegeltent, located at the home of Circus Oz in Collingwood, was built in Belgium in 1910. It has been travelled across Europe and has seen numerous performances through its bevelled doors, including Edith Piaf and Kurt Weil in the '20s and '30s. In 2006 it came to Australia and was renamed after Australia's fabulous opera soprano, Dame Nellie Melba.

“Of course I am younger and more attractive - modesty prevents me from saying more talented - than Kurt Vile Piff or whatever his name is,” she explains.

Dolly will be joined by a “choir of angelically devilish voices” in the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus and MC will be Dean Acuri. Kate Ceberano will even join Dolly by Skype for a Christmas duet, and many Carols will be sung - whether Carol likes it or not.

“There will be lots of sparklers but no crackers” Dolly explains, “unless you count those in the chorus. There are a couple worth breaking out the mistletoe for.”

There is also a great live band -  “Well they will be until I’ve finished with them,” Dolly quips.

Dolly’s “Boy Minder”, the very patient and equally talented (though Dolly would never admit it) Michael Dalton explains the rationale behind the celebration.

“Let's face it, Christmas in July is a great excuse to have a party right in the middle of winter. It's all the fun with half the hassle because you don't have to involve your family at this one.” We all start out with great expectations and usually end up in the middle of a family argument.

So book your tickets through

Bookings: https://trybooking.com/LNHV  or visit www.dollydiamond.com.au

I’ll let Dolly herself have the last word

“I find it way too difficult to keep myself "nice" all year and "naughty" is far more rewarding. However if I was to ask Santa for anything it would be good will to all men, lots of good, willing men.”