let’s talk about Angie Le Mar, let’s talk about her one woman show “The Final Bow”. Wife and mother first, but also the UKs first black female comedienne, author, actress, playwright, director, children’s book writer, community leader, she does what it says on the tin and so much more. When you open that tin, you’re in for a huge surprise, you’d be astonished at just how much is actually in that tin.
Where do we start? To start at the beginning and finish at the end, would be a novel, so to spare both you and i, here are the highlights.
Out steps an open honest 58yr old vision in white, who has done the time, on the circuit in the UK and abroad, and has done life, and a lot of it.
She talks about her hysterectomy, her life both here and abroad, and her career. Of course, we know Angie does funny, that’s why everybody was there, but you also feel the change of energy in the room when she touches on many challenging societal issues, and is being serious.
Her love of family is blatantly apparent, she talks about her mother, father and brothers throughout the show, (kind of like me really). Being raised in a strong, well rounded, balanced family, full of love, makes all the difference to the adult individual that you become.
With lots of belly laughs, and shaming the people who seem to have made enemies with father time since birth, the lady commanded the stage alone, from the beginning, until the end of act one.
With a brief interval, we return to the pleasant surprise, of her already highly accomplished comedian son Travis Jay, whose entire sketch was about the strength of his mother, and paying homage to her guidance. Enter stage (our right, their left), the lady reappears in a new bespoke outfit (both outfits made by an audience member), full length black dress, and attempts to perch delicately on a stool that is too high, you know it, more comedy.
As if that were not enough, enter stage right, the vision that is now her husband, Mr. Velvet himself, David Prosper, singing a Luther love song, not to comedienne Angie Le Mar, but to his wife, lover and mother of his three children, followed by a detailed speech of love, devotion and support. Well, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and if there was, then they need prayers and holy water throwing on them.
Oh, it doesn’t end there either. Enter stage right her daughter Pru, media guru, until we found out last night, that she is also a top vocalist, who tore the roof off of the theatre, with one line of “I’m every woman”. Talk about keep it in the family, and rightly so.
Over the years, Angie Le Mars following has gone from strength to strength, and she still has her original followers. She’s never too far from her roots, and with all of her accomplishments and achievements, she has never become too busy, too important, too aloof and out of reach. That is the true quality.
I loved the stern change of facial expression, and firm motherly tone in her voice when she spoke of supporting each others journeys, mentioning people’s names in a room of opportunity, teamwork, truly mentoring, not just passing loop service to the term, and just helping where and when possible. (She is absolutely correct, as a people and a community, we need to stop wallowing in the insecurities of desperately needing to be the only one. Over the years many industries have pitted us against each other, by making us think, that there can only be one. When you are connected, you can readily make a positive change in someone’s life, if you really want to, not next week or next month, but right now. (my words, not hers, so don’t blame her).
It was lovely to see so many come out to support and enable The Queen of UK comedy to be her fabulous self and shine. Angie Greaves Angie Greaves Donna Spence Judith Jacob Michelle Matherson Brenda Emmanus to name but a few. .
I’ve interviewed this lady a few times, and I know I will be doing so again at some point in the future, as this lady does not stop. She’s the gift that keeps giving. Bout Final Bow….schooooooops.
( As a footnote, I simply must add, I’ve been to two AMAZING one woman shows this month of trailblazers in the community. Angie Le Mar “Final Bow”, and Sutara Ma “Legends of Them”. Both of them baring their souls, and openly telling all. Everything can’t be a secret. If you want people to understand your motives, know, love, understand and appreciate you, that is exactly what you have to do.)
