Carlotta (performer)

Carlotta (born 2 September 1943)[1][2] is the stage name of Carol Spencer AM, (né Richard Lawrence Byron) a transgender Australian cabaret performer and television personality. She began her career as an original cast member of the long-running Sydney-based male revue Les Girls (pronounced lay-girls) cabaret show, which had an international following (including being attended by numerous celebrities) and started in 1962 in Sydney's Kings Cross. Carlotta performed spot-numbers as a singer and comedian, and eventually became the show's compere and lead attraction. Her appearance in the television series Number 96 as Miss Robyn Ross, is the first time a transgender actress played a transgender TV character anywhere in the world.

Carlotta
AM
Born
Richard Lawrence Byron

(1943-09-02) 2 September 1943
Balmain, New South Wales
NationalityAustralian
Other namesCarol Spencer, (Carolle Lea,(Number 96)
Occupation
  • theatre performer
  • television personality
  • actress
  • singer
  • author
Years active1963–present
Known forLes Girls (stage revue)
TelevisionNumber 96, Beauty and the Beast, Studio 10

Biography

Early life and personal life

Carlotta was born Richard Lawrence Byron in Balmain, New South Wales, in 1943.[3] As a child, she was taught song-and-dance routines by her mother. Neither her mother nor her stepfather approved of her subsequent transgender performing career.[4] She had sex reassignment surgery in 1971 which, though not the first such procedure in Australia, was the first to receive major publicity.[5] In 2018, she revealed she had bladder cancer. She says it was discovered early and had the tumor surgically removed.[6]

Career

Les Girls cabaret

Her stage name was sourced from that of Empress Carlota of Mexico.[7] Managed by impresario Lee Gordon, who had toured to Australia such stars as Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, she began her career as an original cast member of the long-running stage male revue Les Girls (pronounced lay-girls) cabaret show, which started in 1962[8] in the purpose-built nightclub building owned by Abe Saffron in the heart of Sydney's Kings Cross. The revue was performed exclusively by males in drag costume, and Carlotta performed spot-numbers as a singer and comedian.[9] She eventually became known as "The Queen of The Cross" as the show's compere and lead attraction, performing also in Leagues clubs while touring with the show.[2]

She also appeared in the 1970 film The Naked Bunyip.[8]

Les Girls and Carlotta became an attraction for visitors to Sydney. Carlotta departed in 1992. Inspired by the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, she mounted a revue,[7] "Carlotta & Her Beautiful Boys", planning to tour Australia. This was not a financial success, bankrupting her, after which she mainly appeared as a one-woman performer.[2]

Television personality

Carlotta (credited as "Carolle Lea") appeared in the soap opera Number 96 in 1973 as Robyn Ross, the new girlfriend of Arnold Feather (portrayed by Jeff Kevin).[10] In the story it was soon revealed that Robyn was in fact a transsexual showgirl, a revelation that led to the end of her romance, meaning she left the show. It is the first time anywhere in the world a trans TV character would be played by a trans actress.

From 1997, Carlotta became a regular panellist on the talk show Beauty and the Beast, hosted by Stan Zemanek.[11] Between 2013 and 2018, she made regular appearances as a panel member on morning show Studio 10.[12]

Biographical telemovie

A 90-minute telemovie, Carlotta, was screened in June 2014 with Jessica Marais acting the title role.[13][14] The film "presents a romanticised perspective that offers only hints of the harsher realities of Byron's complex life."[2]

Stage shows

In 2005, she presented her own half-million-dollar stage production, Carlotta's KingsX, in the Big Top at Luna Park, Sydney,[15] based on her 2003 book I'm Not That Kind of Girl.[16] Produced by Brett Elliott and Richard Bernardo, the 90-minute show consisted of classic storytelling, stand-up comedy, lavish costumes, and "Les Girls" dance performances throughout. She has also toured with her one-woman show Carlotta: Live and Intimate.[17][18]At 77 she still continues to tour, performing such songs by Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Stephen Sondheim and her late friend Peter Allen, performing with a three-piece band headed by Michael Griffiths.[19]

Awards and honours

Carlotta was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) on 26 January 2020 for services to the performing arts and the LGBTIQ community. She has also been awarded The Kings Cross Award for services to tourism, the Drag Industry Variety Award, and the Australian Club Entertainment Lifetime Achievement Award.[5] In 2018, a bronze sculpture was dedicated to her in Kings Cross, where she also has a star on the pavement.[20]

Books

Carlotta has published 2 books

  • He Did it her Way: Carlotta, legend of Les Girls with James Cockington. 1994 Chippendale 033027483X
  • Carlotta: I'm not that kind of girl as told to Prue MacSween published 2003 by Pan Macmillan 073291194X

References
  1. Guinness, Daphne (30 August 2003). "The queen who makes a reluctant subject". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  2. Robson, Frank (14 June 2014). "Carlotta: Let me entertain you". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  3. "Carlotta, Kings Cross (Les Girls), 1970–71". National Portrait Gallery collection. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  4. McMahon Jeannette. 7 July 2014, "Carlotta's journey from schoolboy to sequins". ABC Newcastle. Retrieved 31 March 2018
  5. Jocelyn Garcia (25 January 2020). "'Never be ashamed of who you are': Carlotta receives OAM". The Brisbane Times.
  6. Bennett, Craig. "Showbusiness legend Carlotta tells: My cancer diagnosis". New Idea. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  7. Hill, Rachel (4 May 1995). "Good Times Carlotta, queen of the Cross". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995). p. 23. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  8. "District News in Brief-Famous Les Girls Revue for Victor". Victor Harbour Times (SA : 1932 – 1986). 16 November 1984. p. 2. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  9. Patrick, McDonald (21 January 2019). "Carlotta bears her Cross – and her soul – at Adelaide Fringe". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  10. Idato, Michael (24 March 2016). "Transgenders in the TV mainstream". The Age Green Guide. p. 3.
  11. Encalada, Javier (14 March 2018). "Carlotta comes to town with her comedy show". Northern Star. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  12. "JUST IN: Another star has quit Studio 10". New Idea Magazine. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  13. Knox, David (22 April 2012). "Jessica Marais To Play Carlotta". tvtonight. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  14. Germon, Jennifer (20 June 2014). "Thanking Carlotta – a pioneer for sex and gender diversity". The Conversation. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  15. "Hit for six". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 May 2005. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  16. "Don't call her Diva". Star Observer. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  17. Stephens, Bill (10 June 2016). "Carlotta – Live and Intimate". Australian Arts Review. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  18. Horner, Ceri (21 November 2014). "Feast Festival Review: Carlotta: Live and Intimate". Glam Adelaide. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  19. McDonald, Patrick (21 January 2019). "Carlotta brings her show Queen of the Cross to Adelaide Fringe". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  20. "'He Was the best lover": Carlotta reveals secret affair with Logie winner". 21 September 2018.
External video
One Plus One: Carlotta, One Plus One, ABC News
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