Life is no drag for this vintage queen
By Samantha Elley
Kyogle’s Stan Munro has led a very full life as an entertainer, which started at a very young age.
As a tribute to his life, his show Vintage Drag in Mint Condition will be playing at the Lismore Heights Sports Club on Saturday, September 7 with doors open at 6pm.
“It’s completely different to the show I usually do,” said Stan.
“This show is a history of my life starting from when I was born in 1941.
“I got into showbiz when I was about 13 in the UK, as I was in a boys’ choir and we made a movie.
“I have been tap-dancing and doing acrobatics since about eight (years old).”
One of Stan’s first big shows was with the original Andrew Sisters and he has also worked with Petulia Clarke, Max Bygraves and Anthony Newley, to name a few.
“I also became very friendly with John Inman (Mr Humpries on Are You Being Served?),” said Stan.
“We became lifelong friends and whenever he came to Australia with his stage show, we caught up.”
When Stan came to Australia, he discovered the drag scene in 1963 at Les Girls in Kings Cross, Sydney.
“Then I headlined Les Girls in Melbourne, opening it in 1970,” said Stan.
“I starred and compered that until 1978, six days a week for eight years.
“That was a good gig.”
![Vintage Drag in Mint Condition Lismore Heights Bowling Club](https://thenorthernriverstimes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/page-03_6x3_The-Heights-804x1024.png)
Stan has appeared on the Graham Kennedy Show and even appeared in movies, such as Alvin Purple which came out in 1973.
Now his life will be presented on stage in conversation with Kevin Markwell, discussing his six-decade long career.
“The show contains lots of gags and songs and we also have the copyright to the scene from Alvin Purple, that I was in, to be able to show it on the night,” said Stan.
“There is also a serious side to the show from my life.”
Vintage Drag in Mint Condition, an evening with Dame Stan Munro, has been running for 14 months, which included Castlemaine, Victoria as part of Pride Week 2023 and even in Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Despite owning property in Kyogle, Stan still travels around and will be heading to Sydney soon as a finalist in the ACON Awards for Arts & Entertainment.
His biography has recently been written and is entitled “Queen of the Valleys” and Stan is looking for the right publisher to take it on.
“It’s a 20-chapter book that is waiting to be published,” said Stan.
“I don’t want to self-publish but the book needs a publisher.”
For bookings to Vintage Drag in Mint Condition, call the Lismore Heights Sports Club on 6624 3040.
Tickets are $50 each and bookings are essential.
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