Simply the Best Interview with ‘Tina T’Urner Tea Lady’ Musical Comedy Superstar
Musical comedy genius, Tina Tea Lady aka Tracey Collins is currently rocking the #EdFringe, read our ★★★★★ review here. We caught up with her to talk tea, Tina Turner & her London.
How did you become Tina Tea Lady?
Well, I love Tina Turner and I love tea..so I thought why not put the two together and see what I come up with. I have been writing and creating comedy characters in private for years, but focusing outwardly on a singing career.
Last year, I decided to bring the first of my comedy characters to life. This was Tina Tea Lady. I can imitate various pop singers vocally- including Tina Turner. So I worked on a character of Tina as an old exhausted tea lady with extreme facial expressions. I did not want to perform as an impersonator or tribute artist. I wanted her to be a unique comedy character who sings.
My mum bought me a fold down tea trolley from a charity shop, my aunt sent me a green tabard in the post, and one cheap wig later I played my first gig at the awesome venue Stoke Newington International Airport to a great response from the audience. Since then I’ve been playing all over London and developing the act further.
I’m so happy to be in the final of The Musical Comedy Awards with Tina Tea Lady and I love where she is going as a character.
Do you have any surprises planned to help you win the Musical Comedy Awards?
Yes I do indeed. I’m planning on either singing a love song for James Brown Bread or I may bring out my smoke machine and let my thighs dance for the prize – we shall see…
Tell us about your favourite secret/offbeat places in London (food, going out, entertainment, relaxation)?
The secret tea rooms in Soho, Dancing to DJ Lord Ant B @ Kaff Bar in Brixton, Karen’s Cafe in Homerton and Hackney City Farm to laugh at pigs.
What offbeat events are on your To Do List in the next month or so?
I’m hoping to go to the next Future Cinema event.
What are your favourite things to do for free or little money in London?
Visiting Columbia Road Flower Market, Bookshops around sex alley in Soho, Brick Lane for bagels, and cheap films downstairs@ The Prince Charles Cinema.
What’s your ultimate London confession?
I used to work as an usher at a Famous West End Theatre. We put joke soap in the ladies toilets which turned your hands black. It was very funny.
What event or product of your own would you like to pimp on To Do List?
My Youtube videos below and my show at the Edinburgh Freestival Free Fringe.
GoldenPie
A day in the life
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
