The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan

Stories, songs, secrets, sparkle and a sprinkling of sex.

And that’s just a hint of what to expect in Leigh Buchanan’s cabaret The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan, playing as part of Wonderland at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

“It’s the story of my life – not a One Direction tribute show. Actually, just the journey that got me to where I am today (with a couple of scandalous secrets and some Swarovski crystal for good measure).”

From the catwalk to cabaret, Buchanan knew from an early age that he was destined for the entertainment industry. He can even recall the moment it happened:

“The horror of my tights becoming see-through under the stage lights during my primary school’s Christmas concert revealed more than my comedic genius… well just my superman undies! Rather embarrassing for a shy young lad, but it got me hooked on getting the laughs.”

Back in Dublin, Buchanan hosted a weekly evening called Poets Anonymous, which gave him the confidence to compete in Show Us Yer Bits; a monthly variety show in the early days of the Powerhouse Theatre for which he won the People’s Choice and subsequently the Grand Final.

Often behind the scenes in the wardrobe department dressing the likes of Emmanuelle Beart and Tina Arena, boy-wonder Buchanan has also been in front of the cameras as runner-up on Project Runway Australia, a supporting-lead role in a short film and guest appearances on Adam Hill’s in Gordon Street Tonight.

When asked what has been the highlight so far, Buchanan remarked, “I think because performing has always been a side-line for me, everything I get to do is a bit of a highlight… but it was pretty awesome seeing myself on the big screen as an extra in Bridget Jones’s Diary, but the tragedy of that story is they cut the scene in which I ordered a cappuccino!”

But of course, what’s a good high-light without a great low-light? Buchanan refers to his alter-ego for this one.

“My alter-ego Barbra Windsor-Woo was hosting a friends CD launch when her stiletto gave way and I badly sprained my ankle…the problem was the crowd thought it was hilarious and part of the show so I had to crawl offstage to rounds of applause and a swelling foot!”

Buchanan’s new show The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan is a nod to his fashion background; chic on the outside with a whole lot of cheeky little devil on the side. The cabaret weaves stories, songs, and scandalous secrets seamlessly (fashion pun intended), in a 60-minute exposé, more shocking than Ian Thorpe’s sexuality and Bindi Irwin’s desire to wear ‘modest’ clothing.

The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan is presented as part of the Wonderland Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse from Dec 5-12.

For more information, see the Brisbane Powerhouse website – The Devil Wears Leigh Buchanan.