Cabaret queen shares her secrets

Australian cabaret queen Carlotta will spill the beans about her colourful life when she brings her show to Broome for an unforgettable night of fun, glamour and entertainment.

WOtNoW entertainment is bringing the national transgender icon to the town in what promises to be a glittering performance at the Broome Civic Centre next month.

Renowned for her flowing gowns, lavish jewels, elegant wigs and distinct voice, Carlotta has been a treasure in the industry for more than five decades.

No stranger to controversy and the media limelight, Carlotta, who was born Richard Byron, hit the headlines in the early 1970s after undergoing a sex change operation - one of the first procedures to be publicised.

She first shot to fame as an original member of the hit long-running cabaret show Les Girls.

Over the years, Carlotta became a regular face on the television screen, including starring in numerous soap operas.

The seasoned performer shows no sign of slowing down any time soon, as she continues to entertain her legions of fans with her current One Woman Show national tour.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Carlotta continues to entertain as only she can.

Carlotta has her One Woman Show on tour, and with her TV appearances on many talk shows she is kept busy.

The ABC and Glitter Productions have made a film based on her life that will air mid-year and, with her recent appearances on Celebrity Come Dine with Me and Mornings On Channel 7, Carlotta is riding a new wave of popularity.

The Broome audience can expect an amazing night of great food, dress-ups and camp fun.

The charismatic entertainer said she was looking forward to performing in Broome.

"I've been to Broome before," she said.

"I've enjoyed myself every time I've come there, it's a beautiful place."

As well as dazzling spectators with her stellar stage presence, the glamorous celebrity recently played a hands-on role with the production of the film based on her extraordinary life.

Carlotta said she was excited about the release.

"I'm very happy about it because it shows people how I started in the very beginning," she said.

"It shows how I became Carlotta and how I had to fight the system to be who I am … I'm pleased because there are a lot of kids out there that are still stuck in the closet and it more or less shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel."

Coinciding with the launch is Carlotta's show, which takes her audience on a personal journey.

"I tell people about (it) … because I've been in show business for 52 years. I decided to do a One Woman Show in the last few years and it has been successful."

The outspoken entertainer said the performance had been a hit with fans.

"I've got quite a bit of a following, especially in Sydney, they enjoy a good laugh," she said.

"I'm politically incorrect."

As she recalls her personal challenges as a young person, Carlotta described herself as a "fighter" and a "Germaine Greer" of her day when she was met with opposition.

"It was tough, you had the establishment against you, you had the police against you, you had everything against you," she said.

"Because I knew in myself I didn't choose to be born like this, and I was going to fight for it, and I did. I'm lucky that I was a strong person."

At one stage, Carlotta was arrested and found herself before the courts.

"The judge said 'what's the charge?' and all they came up with in those days was offensive behaviour, but they were trying to make you stop dressing as a woman," she said.

"I just said to the judge: 'Well, you've got a wig and a robe on.' He p***d himself laughing and said: 'Case dismissed.'"

Although she believes society has come a long way, Carlotta said there was still prejudice around.

"There's still that stigma there, there always will be because of lack of education."

Even after a long, glittering career, Carlotta said she adored working in show business and entertaining her fans.

WOtNoW entertainment event organiser Pete Davies, a long-time friend of Carlotta's, said he was "more than excited" to bring his pal to Broome, not only to the stage but also for a break in paradise.

He said the star's "witty mouth" and stage presence would wow the audience on the night.

Carlotta will perform at Broome Civic Centre on Saturday, May 10, supported by Christopher Debonnafin.

Tickets cost $80 and include dinner and a cabaret show.

Tickets can be purchased at the Broome Shire administration office on Weld Street or at Wet N Wicked.

I knew in myself I didn't choose to be born like this. Carlotta