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The Diana Ross Connection – Patti Boulaye OBE

Mar 16, 2023 | Review Beat

Patti Boulaye’s ‘I’m Coming Out’ UK tour is going down well with her fans…

By Ian Woolley

Patti Boulaye OBE

The doyenne of entertainment, Patti Boulaye OBE, recently described as “a bundle of fizz” is back with her new one-woman show  “I’m Coming Out”.

This fascinating show strongly features the fabulous music of Diana Ross interspersed with Patti’s humorous comparisons and contrasts between Patti’s own life and Diana’s.

We asked her why Diana Ross. “I’ve done the music of Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, so i thought why not Diana Ross and the Supremes. I like stretching my voice to see how far I can push it. Anyway, every time I met the late Michael Jackson, he would compare me to Diana Ross” said Patti.

As your new tour is covering the back catalogue of one of Motown’s biggest stars. Have you always loved Motown?

“Who does not love Motown and not just the Supremes” replied Patti. “My favourite was the Jackson 5. My husband used to represent Motown in the UK in the 60s. He was the first to bring to the UK, the twelve-year-old little Stevie Wonder, for a promotional tour of his first Album “A Tribute to Uncle Ray”.  That was long before I met him. I know he had a crush on Diana Ross”.

Have you ever met her? “Yes, once when I was 18-19 years old. I was singing with a US girl group touring the UK at the time and Diana Ross was appearing at the London Palladium. They were friends of hers and so I went backstage with them”.

Your last tour was covering another great female singer, wasn’t it? How did that go down with your fans? “The great Aretha Franklin. It was a great success. They loved the show and the stories, and I will always remember the men in the audience singing along to “Natural Woman.” I love making my audience dance with me and this is another perfect show for that”.

What can your audience expect in your “I’m Coming Out” show?

“There will be fun, laughter, dancing, lots of stories and an eclectic genre of music. These shows provide fun and humorous ways of telling stories about my early life and show business”.
“Rather like “An evening with..” without the chairs, but with lots of music”.  
Says Patti finally “These are uncertain and difficult times for all of us.
“I hope I can lift the spirits of people I meet and entertain in my shows. My job and that of any entertainer is to help ease the tension at times like this. I have written, prepared and designed a family-friendly show, that my very young grandchildren can attend”.
“An evening that is enjoyable, familiar, interactive, and full of stories, singing, laughter and dancing. I’m Coming Out majors on the hits of Diana Ross & The Supremes, with an eclectic mix of music from Etta James, Puccini, Bizet to Bessie Smith”.

DATES –2023 –  I’M COMING OUT

23rd April – The Pheasantry Jazz Club, Chelsea 

29th April – The Forest Arts Centre, New Milton, Forest Arts Centre – 01425 619983 –

17th June – Swindon Arts Centre –

29th July – Beggars Theatre, Millom

Read our exclusive interview with Patti in the 2021 October issue of the Beat. Back copies are available via our website.

For more information about Patti Boulaye OBE, go to her website www.pattiboulaye.com

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