Voices United co-organiser and co-host Ian Stroughair in his drag diva guise as Velma Celli
YORK cabaret artiste and West End musical actor Ian Stroughair is to present Voices United: Rubies For Our Angels, at the Grand Opera House, York, on July 18 to mark St Leonard’s Hospice’s ruby anniversary.
You will know international award winner Ian as his alter ego, Velma Celli, the UK’s queen of live vocal drag vocal. He will host the 7.30pm bill in that guise, alongside BBC Radio York presenter Joanita Musisi (whose father passed away at St Leonard’s) and YorkMix Radio Breakfast Show presenter Laura Castle.
Together they will introduce York’s finest performers and West End stars in a night of musical theatre and rock and pop hits to raise funds for a cause extremely personal to Ian.
The hospice, in Tadcaster Road, York, cared for his mum, Pauline, in her final days of battling cancer. “It was so difficult when my mum was ill, but the staff at the hospice provided a level of care that was above and beyond,” he says. “They gave us the space and freedom to spend those precious last days by Mum’s side in such a warm and supportive environment.”
Georgi Mottram: Classical BRIT Award nominee performing at Voice United next Friday
Taking part will be international and West End classical singer Georgi Mottram; Lois Morgan Gay, from The Voice UK; York blues and soul singer Jessica Steel & guitarist Stuart Allan; York musical theatre actress, singer and theatre tutor Joanne Theaker, performing songs from Calendar Girls, and York retro party band Jonny And The Dunebugs.
“All of the artists and musicians are donating their time and talent for free,” says Ian, who has appeared in West End productions of Chicago, Cats, Fame and Rent. “None of us will be taking a single penny, so as much money as possible will go directly to the hospice. Performers always want to get involved and help because St Leonard’s means so much to so many people.
“It’s a big celebration, honouring all the work that the hospice does. Expect a fun, upbeat concert with light entertainment featuring all the songs you know and love: favourites from musical theatre, together with rock and pop classics, from David Bowie to Queen and Lady Gaga.
“Jessica and me, with Stuart on acoustic guitar, will be doing Kate Bush and Sinead O’Connor songs and one from Jessica’s Higher Frequencies album, maybe Abba too. ”
Classical BRIT Award nominee Georgi Mottram has performed for royalty, made her London Palladium debut as Nimue in Camelot and topped the iTunes Classical chart with her 2021 debut single Dream Believe.
Lois Morgan Gay: The Voice UK singer will be performing songs from her appearances on the ITV talent show
Lois Morgan Gay was a semi-finalist on the 2024 series of The Voice UK, with a £100,000 record deal under her belt already from 2022. “I’m thrilled to be part of this concert, raising money for an incredible cause,” she says.
Next Friday’s concert is co-organised by Ian’s close friend Sarah Walker. By a sad coincidence, her father Peter died at the hospice only three weeks before Pauline. Retired policeman Peter was better known as writer Nicholas Rhea, whose Constable series of books were turned into the television series Heartbeat.
Sarah was back at the hospice only a few months later: “What my sister Tricia thought was a stomach bug turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer,” she says. “She died in St Leonard’s five weeks after being diagnosed and just eight months after Dad.”
Ian produced a live-steam kitchen concert in 2020 to support the hospice and he and Sarah always strive to help in any way they can. Ian came up with the idea of a charity show after learning that St Leonard’s receives only a quarter of its annual running costs from the National Health Service. The remaining £6 million has to come from fund-raising.
Jessica Steel: Joining Ian Stroughair on stage at Voices United
Looking forward to next Friday’s event, St Leonard’s community and events manager Sarah Atkinson says: “We’re really excited about the upcoming Voices United evening at the Grand Opera House as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. We’re deeply grateful to everyone involved, those performing, organising and supporting the event.
“The compassionate care we provide at St Leonard’s Hospice is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, and we very much appreciate the continued support. So book your tickets for a glittering evening of entertainment and join us in celebrating both the talent and spirit that make our work possible.”
Ian concludes: “Tickets prices range from £20 to £50, making this fabulous event affordable for all, and there will be other opportunities to donate on the evening too.”
Box office: https://shorturl.at/G3qhV or atgtickets.com/york. For more information on St Leonard’s Hospice, visit: stleonardshospice.org.uk.
Did you know?
IAN Stroughair takes 90 minutes to apply his make-up – or his “slap” as he calls it – to transform into drag diva Velma Celli.