Waffle stomping aside (Google it; but not on your work computer), Trevor Ashley’s “Double Ds: Two Decades of Divadom” was a fabulous night of cabaret charisma, cheekiness and class.

Ably supported by a push-up bra and a superb nine-piece band led by the formidable James Simpson, the QPAC Concert Hall took on a Vegas-headliner vibe, with impressive lighting design, killer costumes, and perhaps its first-ever c-bomb.

It was a kick-ball-change down memory lane (and a quick-wig-change or two, too), with Ashley recounting a “best of” songbook, treating a cosy but committed audience to iconic career highlights including a charming ‘Master of the House’ from Les Miserable and Hairspray favourite ‘Welcome to the Sixties’, during which 2010 co-star Jaz Flowers made a surprise guest appearance and arguably stole the show.

Anecdotes between numbers were frank and fearless, to the delight of some audience members and the disgust of others, but Ashley’s candidness with his audience is to be commended, despite some jokes missing the mark.

Act 1 saw Ashley appear as himself – sans bells, whistles and wigs – whereas Act 2 razzled and dazzled with full face, frocks and guest appearances from Ashley’s most famous divas including Liza, Cher and Shirley.

For my money, the show was built upside down.

Fans of Ashley (and the first-timers they’d brought along) were expecting the divas straight up, so the stripped-back opening was perhaps a little too low-fi for some.

The more poignant and personal stories, I think, would have packed more punch in Act 2, once the belly-laughs had subsided.

While Ashley is undeniably worthy of the world’s grandest concert halls, one can’t help but be jealous of those who experienced his career-beginnings in the much smaller, smokey cabaret clubs.

His shows take on a kind of “at home with friends” intimacy which gets lost somewhat in the cavernous QPAC.

The evening concluded with a rousing performance of ‘I Am What I Am’ from La Cage aux Folles; a show-stopping finale and gig-sealing audition of sorts, for Ashley is born to play Albin in the popular musical by Harvey Fierstein and Jean Poiret.

A smart and savvy producer should see to it ASAP.

As for the perfect director? Well, I hear David Berthold’s got some time up his sleeve from next month…

From the first driving beats of disco music to the strobing spotlights you know you’re going to be in for a good time and this Friday night audience at the Concert Hall at QPAC is clearly ready to party.

They erupt as a sequin caped figure emerges on to the stage and launches into the first hit of the night.

Whilst you may not know the name Trevor Ashley, you’ll certainly be familiar with some of the shows he’s performed in; Hairspray, Les Miserables, Priscilla as well as his own cabarets.

Supported by a slick eight-piece band lead by the talented James Simpson, Ashley regales the audience with colourful tales of his twenty years in show business.

His career has spanned his start in drag shows and cabaret to musicals as well as to creating and touring his own shows both locally and internationally.

Ashley appears as himself in the first act singing a variety of songs covering his career.

His voice soars with an incredible range matched by his physical energy.

He sings and dances his way through a range of numbers interspersed with humorous and naughty asides.

He’s joined in two numbers by a former castmate, Jaz Flowers singing numbers from Les Mis and Hairspray.

However, it’s in the second act that Ashley really comes into his own or rather, Miss Shirley Bassey makes her entrance complete with trademark mannerisms and a to- die-for gown.

This is what the audience has been waiting for and Ashley certainly delivers.

This is followed by an encore performance by Liza Minnelli singing New York New York which absolutely brings the house down.

It’s a great number that brings the audience to its feet and provides the perfect finish to a fabulous evening.

A Diva indeed.

Trevor Ashley’s musical theatre performance at QPAC was entertaining, informative, lighthearted and real.

He was a good narrator, had incredible vocals, dance moves and wit.

He also had support from a highly talented musical team who framed the stage and were led by James Simpson on piano.

The audience got a glimpse into Trevor’s life behind the scenes plus on stage from a number of hit musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Pricilla, Hairspray and Les Mis.

I particularly enjoyed the second half when Trevor put on wigs and glitzy dresses and treated us to superb impersonations of some of Trevor’s favourite Divas – Liza Minnelli, Shirley Bassey and Tina Turner.

It was fun to sing along and have audience participation to some of the well-known cabaret numbers such as “I’m Every Woman”, “New York New York” and “I am what I am.”

The big band supporting the show was impressive.

I was particularly impressed with the guest vocalist Jaz Flowers.

I am a pretty conservative person and so found one or two of Trevor’s sexual references a bit crude and confrontational.

However, most people spent the entire evening in stitches of laughter and I left (after three encores) feeling uplifted, happy and still wanting more.

Absolutely loved this from start to finish.

In the 1st half, Trevor (untucked) showed what a multifaceted performer he is with some of his best musical theatre pieces, peppered with some spiced-up stories of his successes and lots of failures in his career.

Whilst he mocked himself with his recollections, and cracked us up, through the laughing we saw a very vulnerable side that broke a little piece of my heart.

Les Mis, Edna Turnblad, Priscilla, then Jesus Christ Superstar in the personas of Liza and Cher were hilarious.

The guy has got some pipes.

The 2nd half was when the show really ramped it up for me.

The lashes, wig and sequinned frock that would make any queen envious, transformed Trevor literally into another person on so many levels.

Confidence-plus and in his absolute element on the stage, belting out all the big ones from Tina Turner to Dame Shirley Bassey with a crack-smoking Whitney in between.

Unlike a lot of other drag performers, Trashley was not vulgar for the sake of it, but just naughty and satirical enough to pack the comedic punch while still showing the respect and admiration for the divas he so perfectly impersonated.

With the back-up of the amazing James Simpson and his band, Trevor’s stunning vocal range was as good as it gets, and after a few encores he finished with the Gay Anthem ‘I Am What I Am’ leaving us hankering for more.

Can’t wait to see him again.

The first half of Trevor Ashley’s ‘Double Ds: Two Decades of Divadom’ gave the QPAC audience the chance to feel as if they are waiting in the changing room with Ashley: enjoying anecdotes about 20 years in ‘the business,’ hearing about auditions won and loves lost, and admiring the stamina of an artist who has had leading roles in shows that have run for many, many hundreds of performances.

Peppered with songs from musical theatre roles that Ashley has made uniquely his own, the first half of this 120-minute show was an enjoyable run through a stellar career on the Australian musical stage.

Highlights included songs from ‘Priscilla,’ ‘Hairspray,’ and the fantastic ‘Les Mis’ “Master of the House.”

But it was the second half of the show where Ashley really shone.

Liza Minnelli, Cher, Eartha Kitt, Whitney Houston and the magnificent Tina Turner were ‘recreated’ as only a Diva Hall of Fame inductee could.

I just wish I’d had the chance to see ‘Diamonds Are For Trevor,’ as the Shirley Bassey tribute was just fabulous—entertaining mimicry (that curling Welsh top lip!) combined with the power of the Ashley voice (and that frock!).

Great to see that the 2019 Brisbane Festival did not stint on the budget.

Suitably fabulous lighting (Peter Rubie) established a Las Vegas headlining vibe, and James Simpson (Musical Director, piano and backing vocals) and his 10-piece band were a great choice for this musical event.

Perhaps on occasion, the sound balance needed to be adjusted in favour of the vocalist, particularly in the first half (and for Jaz Flower’s second-half number).

Gloria Gaynor’s “I am what I am,” was, of course, a perfect finale.

But it was the Shirley Bassey “I know what love is’ that was the high-point of my evening.

Trevor Ashley Double D’s: Two Decades of Divadom starts with an entertaining yet real (and at times brutal) recollection of his career highs and lows.

Memoirs and songs intertwine for an engaging and amusing first half.

However, the second half is what the audience is waiting for.

Shirley Bassey, Cher and Liza Minelli grace us with their presence, drenched in sequins, belting out crowd favourites.

You’d expect nothing less from such divas!

The band accompanying the show, La TrAshley, are wonderful.

A talented group of musicians adding real funk to the show!

The 18+ rating is necessary and for some, the waffle joke may be a bit much….

A show absolutely worth seeing.

Take your friends and get ready for some chair-dancing and singing!