For classic & modern entertainment with a twist, there is no show in the world that glorifies first class entertainment quite like the world famous Funny Girls.
Blackpool is synonymous with entertainment, and Funny Girls has been a Blackpool staple since the very first night, that unforgettable 4th of July 1994, and we are coming to a theatre near you on our first ever UK tour. If you want to see a show with big laughs, up tempo exciting singalong routines and theatrical classics with a hilarious twist there is no show in UK that competes with the entertainment we provide at Funny Girls – it is the epitome of a show stopping extravaganza.
Betty Legs Diamond is the creation of Simon Green and was born in between shows at the Palace Theatre London in the musical On Your Toes. With Betty’s incredible talent for dance, comedy and impersonation, it wasn’t long before many of London’s most renowned and prestigious cabaret venues were inviting Betty Legs Diamond to perform nightly to sell out audiences. While performing in many West End shows for over ten years and being inspired by some of the greatest talents from around the world, Betty soon became one of the United Kingdoms top female impersonators.
After performing at the London Palladium in Stairway To the Stars with Arlene Dahl, Gloria De Haven, Dolores Gray, Kathryn Grayson, Tony Martin, Van Johnson, Virginia O’Brien and Jane Russell, Betty received an invitation to open a new cabaret venue in Britain’s no1 entertainment resort, Blackpool.
Funny Girls opened in Blackpool June 1994 to great reviews and due to the overwhelming success of the venue it had to increase in capacity the following year. It was during this time that the great Bea Arthur attended the show and loved it. Requesting to meet Betty after the show Bea said “My god! You remind me of Chita Rivera! Can I please have a photograph of you to give to her”. Within two weeks Betty received a signed photograph and letter from Chita, saying how Bea had enjoyed the show and that she would be honoured to meet Betty some day.
The Show at Funny Girls soon became as famous as The Blackpool Tower and had to re-fit the venue four times and be re-located twice due to its popularity. In 2004 the invitation came to perform at the Royal Variety Performance and subsequently again in 2005 with the show stopping comedy
ballet, Swine Lake. Apart from being a great honour, the pinnacle of Betty’s career was meeting Queen Elizabeth II at the end of the show.
After 15 years at Funny Girls, Betty was invited to play Matron Mama Morton in the musical Chicago. This was a first, as a female impersonator had never played the role before. Soon after Chicago, Betty was once again touring and delighting audiences up and down the UK.
It was during this time Betty received a second invitation to open a brand new theatre venue, this time in the party capital of the North, Newcastle Upon Tyne. It wasn’t long before Boulevard became the number one tourist attraction in the City and is now playing to packed houses nightly.
In 2016, Betty made a triumphant return to Funny Girls, and continues to be a major attraction as the UK’s foremost female impersonator.
When it comes to deciding on a show to see it can be hard to find one that caters to everyone’s tastes, but not if you’re watching The Funny Girls show. This revue features a selection of highly talented drag leads and male entertainers. The rhinestones aren’t the only things that make Funny Girls sparkle. As well as the stunning costumes and headdresses, Funny Girls features a wide range of elaborate dance and laugh out loud comedy routines.
The award-winning Funny Girls is a unique entertainment experience, it has been on the Royal Variety, not once, but twice. It has been on the television more times than we could possibly list, and after being open 7 nights a week for the past 24 years, we must be doing something right!
Funny Girls will be at The Royal Hippodrome Theatre Thursday 19th March 7.30pm. Tickets £21-£23 available from the Box Office 01323 802020 or book online at www.royalhippodrome.com
