The Loneliness of the Long Distance Diva

The intimacy of Leicester's Curve Studio was ideally suited to Carol Leeming's one woman treatise on becoming a Diva. How much of this was autobiographical and how much fictionalised truth only Carol can know. I hope, for her sake, that much of it is poetic embellishment.
The audience, an eclectic mix of mature house musicos, ageing clubbers and cultural worthies, were treated to a rampage through the life and times of Solitaire, a singer whose voice time-stamped the memories of many clubbers in the 80's and 90's
As Solitaire awaits the final call to the stage to collect an award, her symbol of having made it, finally, she ruminates on the tortured path which has led her to this pinnacle. Told in a bastard mix of patois, Midland English and dance club speak, Solitaire tells of her lurch from abuse to mental breakdown to financial rip off to approbation. Along the way she tells of the sacrifices she made, both financial and emotional. In the end, after all the heartache and sacrifice, surely she has earned the title of Diva, albeit a lonely one.
A bare stage with just a make up mirror and a screen are all that Carol needs to conjure up the various people in her tortured life as they variously support and use her.
The finale, our chance to witness the song which made it all worthwhile and possible, reminded me why I used to follow Carol Leeming around the scene in the 90's just to bathe in her liquid gold voice.

© Paul Towers 21/6/2012