Brian Conley’s dressed and ready to thrill at Venue Cymru

Nov 11 2010 by Sarah Batley, North Wales Weekly News

COMEDIAN and singer Brian Conley’s looking forward to getting back into a jacket and trousers, leaving behind his collection of dresses and wigs, when he heads to North Wales on Monday.

He’s just coming to the end of playing Edna Turnblad in hit musical Hairspray at the Birmingham Hippodrome, handing over the stilettos to Michael Ball, with whom he’s sharing the role.

“I’ve been dressing up as a woman for the last few months, so it will be nice to wear a suit again,” he laughed. “I have enjoyed doing Hairspray but it will be good to get back to being me. I produce and direct the show, so it’s a chance to have lots of fun, while working at the same time.”

When the TV funny man’s tour lands at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru on November 15 he’ll be backed by West End Phantom of the Opera performers Sam Hiller and Emma Edwards, along with Britain’s Got Talent comedy ventriloquist Gareth Oliver.

“Sam will be interviewing me as well, and there will be a big video screen on which there will be the highlights of my career over the last 20 years,” said Brian.

“We will also do feedback with the audience and they’ll get chance to ask questions themselves. It will include appearances by my characters Dangerous Brian, Larry the Loafer, Nick Frisbee and Al Jolson, whom I played for three years. I’ll also be talking about my life story, such as appearing the Royal Variety Show.”

He’s looking forward to having a look around the Llandudno area, and seeing how different it is from Ebbw Vale and Tregedar, where he lived when he was part of comedy showband TomFoolery when he was in his early 20s.

The London-born entertainer started his showbiz career aged 16 as a Pontin’s Bluecoat. He became a warm up man for Terry Wogan, Noel Edmonds and Kenny Everett. Afterwards, he appeared in Five Alive and Live from the Palladium and was soon snapped up by ITV and given his own show.

After his latest tour, he’ll be heading back in Wales, this time at Cardiff’s New Theatre for a spell in panto.

“I’m playing Buttons – or Velcro, as we’re updating it for the 21st century!”

“I love doing panto, it’s such good fun, it ticks all the boxes: there’s pathos, singing, audience participation, and getting the kids up on stage – you never know what they’re going to say, that’s the best bit.”

Brian Conley, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Monday, November 15, 01492 872000, venuecymru.co.uk