Diane Chorley is a legend. In the 1980s she ran the Essex nightclub The Flick, fronted her band The Buffet and was dubbed the Duchess of Canvey. Until misdeeds were uncovered and she was banged up and the club closed down. But after a period when she has been understandably low-key everything is about to change. She has located her partner Ron and put a new band together for second helping of The Buffet. And she already has fans in high places. Stewart Lee saw Chorley in full flow and described the experience as “the most fun I had in a comedy show this summer.” And if Stewart Lee says that it must be true. Find out for yourself at the Soho Theatre from June 15 - 27. Tickets here.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your
knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?
knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?
I hide the Nice & Spicy Nik Naks from my band The Buffet. It clearly stated on their contracts that they didn't mind what crisps they had. Don't come running to me if you've got a problem with Morrisons' Cheese Puffs. That velvet rope divides the dressing room for a reason!
2. What irritates you?
Toe Rings. If your maker wanted you to decorate your feet, she wouldn't have made them so ugly. It's like putting a gold frame around a cat's back passage.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I crash landed Mick Jagger's private jet into The Thames estuary once. He'd had too much Horlicks and dozed off at the controls.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
When I owned my club ‘The Flick’ back in the eighties, we had Bonny Tyler in the VIP room. I made the mistake of lighting a candle next to her backcomb. The place went up like the Hindenburg.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
You want to check your research babe, I’m not a comedian! I’m the Joan of Arc of light entertainment.
6. What do your parents think of your job?
6. What do your parents think of your job?
My Mum died in prison a few years back. She was serving life for murdering my father after discovering he was having an affair with a chiropodist from Billericay. That’s about as funny as I’m going to get, babe.
Read more of this interview and watch a trailer of Diane Chorley here.
