Laughter is key to success in this celebration of glamour (From Free Press Series)

Laughter is key to success in this celebration of glamour

AS A Swansea schoolboy, Ceri Jones knew exactly where he was headed.

Brushing aside careers advice to 'do something sensible', he stuck to his dream. "My careers' officer asked me what I wanted to do when I left school. I said I was going to go on the stage as a singer and comedian," he said.

That's just what he did - and he's bringing his show to Blaenavon.

"I believe that in life you end up doing what you are meant to do.

"I was meant to dress up as women and run around the world making people laugh.

"It started in school when I would mess around and impersonate the teachers. It was a way to make sure I never got any hassle - to make people laugh.

"My school reports were atrocious, apart from drama and art.

He was 17 when he was asked to take part in a charity performanceand decided to dress up as Shirley Bassey.

That went down a storm. A swift name change later - he put a bunch of showbiz names in a tin and pulled out Dupree - and a star was born.

The Ceri Dupree Show is on the way to Blaenavon on April 22.

Working alongside Blaenavon singer (and international artiste) Cai Williams, he's bringing a taste of glamour to the Workmen's Hall.

Ceri would rather be described as a female impersonator rather than a drag artist. "I prefer the term female impersonator. My show is about celebrating glamour and having a laugh.

"I include around 15 costume changes - I don't travel light," he joked.

Impersonations include Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Cher, Camilla Parker Bowles and even Gladys Pugh.

But is he phased by the prospect of parading round in high heels and fishnets in front of a Blaenavon crowd? Not at all.

"I've performed for all sorts. If you can make rugby players laugh dressed as a tart you can make anyone laugh," he said.

"But I've done lots of corporate events as well, performing for executives from companies like Marks and Spencer."

The current show features his array of female impersonations, songs and jokes, interspersed with songs from Cai.

"Cai's act is such a contrast to mine. I'll be on stage dressed as Camilla and when I go off, Cai comes on and sings a ballad. The contrast works well."

Ceri, 41, was based in London for 12 years before he returned to Wales. He now lives in Cardiff - and travels all over the world.

And he's even planning to open his own entertainment/restaurant venue in Cardiff, where people can enjoy a meal and watch his show.

That show has changed over the years. One-time villain Maggie Thatcher has been replaced - by Prince Charles' new wife Camilla Parker-Bowles.

"She's definitely the villain now as far as the audience is concerned," he said. "People love to boo her, like they used to boo Mrs Thatcher."

Ceri is confident his show will be the talk of Blaenavon.

"I hope people will read this and think 'how often does a six-foot-tall Welshman turn up dressed in a frock'? They'll have to come then, to see for themselves."