Andrew Kay declares that the new black is Black
Fifty six years old and for most of those years I have been a fan of Coronation Street. My memories of the early years are sparse, the student years scant, despite the mad rush each week in the halls of residence to get a seat for every episode, and my early 30s were dented by my commuting habits.
Over the years there has never been any doubt that Corrie is about strong northern women, women like my mother, who, having just reached 80 is as feisty as ever. Woe betide anyone who gets on the wrong side of Ivy!
Earlier this year I went off to Eastbourne to see Sister Act. In the foyer we bumped into an old friend and he was there to see his friend who was appearing in the show. Kindly he wangled us a lift back to Brighton with her if we were happy to go for a drink with the cast after.
“She stormed her way through the show as Mother Superior, whipped off her wimple and joined us for a pint”
Well, I was up for that, especially when I saw that his friend was none other than Denise Black, actress and chanteuse, one-time lover of Ken Barlow on the Street and a star of Queer As Folk, the iconic gay drama that changed people’s perceptions of not only gay life but what you could get away with on TV. Denise stormed her way through the Sister Act as Mother Superior, whipped off her wimple and joined us for a pint.
There and then we became mates and now frequently exchange messages as she tours the show around the UK, but that tour is nearly over and she will be back in her adopted and much loved Brighton very soon.
As well as a career as an actress Denise is also a well respected jazz singer with her own band Denise Black’s Loose Screw, a name which might give you an indication of the lady’s sense of humour.
With a new album, Kiss The Joy, Denise has chosen to launch it at our very own Latest Musicbar on Thursday 15 November. No doubt it will be a riotous evening of music and humour with her usual mix of guests and ribaldry. I am now going to relax and listen to the new album.
