First transgender lead in musical performs on the Gold Coast
Amid Australia’s controversial debate about transgender people’s participation in sport, history has been made on the Gold Coast with the first lead transgender performer.
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A TRANSGENDER performer has secured the lead role in the Gold Coast’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical, in a move being hailed a big step forward for inclusivity.
Adelaide’s Yvonne Britain, known by her stage name Vonni, will play Priscilla lead Bernadette Bassinger in what’s believed to the be the first selection of a transgender actor for the role.
She joins Australia’s most famed drag queen and transgender entertainer Carlotta - from Sydney’s Les Girls troupe fame - in the cast, thanking Matt Ward Entertainment director Matt Ward for the opportunity.
“It is due to Matt Ward giving me the opportunity and he’s taking a chance,” Vonni said.
“Transgender people can do the role, they are just as talented and ambitious as everyone else, so there’s no reason why roles that are transgender should not be given to transgender people.
“This is a world first and it means a lot to me, because it’s I’ve lived that life.”
It comes as debate rages nationally about transgender participation in professional and Olympic sport, whilst Federal election Liberal candidate Katherine Deves is reportedly in hiding, saying she has had death threats over transgender comments.
She hit the headlines saying trans teenagers were “surgically mutilated” and surrogacy was a “vanity project” and “human rights violation” - but later insisted she wasn’t anti-transgender and admitted how she framed the argument was not conducive to “proper, reasonable debate”.
Last week, Olympic swim sensation Emma McKeon said her sport would eventually have to “deal” with transgender women competing because it was “just not fair”.
“I personally wouldn’t want to be racing against someone biologically a male,” she said.
A controversial billboard has since caused a stir, with Swimming Australia threatening legal action against conservative activist group Advance Australia for a campaign against trans women in sport that uses images of McKeon, Dawn Fraser and Emma Seebohm.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews slammed politicians on Sunday, for being “cruel” after Scott Morrison defended Ms Deves.
“What’s next? The trans kid can’t play a female role in the school play? Is this the biggest issue in our nation today?” Mr Andrews said.
Vonni said of her Priscilla role: “I was part of Les Girls and Bernadette’s character is a retired Les Girls performer. I’ve toured around Australia, I’ve toured in a bus. I’ve worked at Lasseters Alice Springs, this casino where they end up.
“I’ve climbed Ayres Rock. I’ve lived the life of the person that I’m portraying.”
Vonni said transgender education in schools would “save lives”, and diminish the stigma.
“Teaching it in schools will save lives, and especially if parents come on board with it,” Vonni said.
“What Dan Andrews said yesterday was wonderful, Scott Morrison’s church beliefs should not influence political decisions.
“Religion should not be mixed with politics and we should not be ruled by that.”
Vonni and Carlotta worked and lived together for years while working in King’s Cross Les Girls in the 1980s.
“I am honoured and thrilled – absolutely beside myself to say I will be playing Bernadette.
“Bernadette Bassinger’s character was based on Carlotta,” Vonni said.
Mr Ward said Vonni got the part “not because she was transgender but because she was the best performer for the role.”
“This is a movement about visibility that should be encouraged. We encourage other productions to embrace transgender talent.”
Priscilla Queen of the Desert runs from July 16 to August 7 at The Star Gold Coast.
Tickets start from $75.
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Originally published as First transgender lead in musical performs on the Gold Coast
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