Trevor Ashley returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory with LIZA in TYPSY!, bringing their signature wit, powerhouse vocals, and dazzling impersonation of Liza Minnelli to the London stage. Fresh from a standout turn as Roger De Bris in The Producers, Ashley’s latest show promises outrageous comedy, jaw-dropping vocals, and more sequins than Studio 54, all backed by a sensational seven-piece band.
Audiences can expect a glitzy, humorous, and unpredictable evening as Ashley channels the legendary Minnelli in a performance described as “dazzling, decadent and delightfully drunk.”
LIZA in TYPSY! runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 7 to 11 May 2025.
You’re starring as LIZA in TYPSY! at the Menier Chocolate Factory—what can you tell us about the show?
The show is a camp and fabulous tribute to the great Ms Minnelli! Naturally, there are sequins, songs, stories, ridiculous amounts of belting, and some killer gags. We’ve got a sensational seven-piece band playing off-the-charts arrangements—not just of her classics, but also numbers she never actually performed. It’s a total hoot. And yes, in this version, we’re diving into a few songs from Gypsy—hence the title!
After your acclaimed performance as Roger De Bris in The Producers, what inspired you to return as Liza Minnelli in this new production?
I’ve been itching to bring Liza back to London—it’s been years! I think the last time I performed her here was in 2018, and I remembered just how bananas the audiences went the first four times I brought her over. Now that I live here, and with the Menier becoming a bit of a second home thanks to The Producers, I couldn’t resist.
LIZA in TYPSY! has been described as “dazzling, decadent and delightfully drunk”—how do you balance the comedy and musical elements in your portrayal?
It’s always a bit of a balancing act. You want the audience to laugh and have a great time, but you also want to honour Liza’s story—which can be deeply moving. I adore the real woman, so I never push it to the point of being unkind. No one wants to see that. But Liza playing Norma Desmond? Now that I can get behind!
You’ve performed as Liza in venues from the Sydney Opera House to New York’s Sony Hall. How does this London run compare, and what makes it special?
Coming back to the Menier feels like a real full-circle moment. I had such a dream run there recently with The Producers, and now that London truly feels like home—it’s extra special. I was just back in Australia, and I can honestly say I’m a Londoner now. The Menier gave me a big break, and I’d love to be part of the furniture for years to come.
You’ll soon be reprising your role in The Producers when it transfers to the West End. How do you approach shifting between these two iconic characters?
They’re completely different beasts! A full-scale book musical like The Producers demands stamina and precision—it’s a huge show, and Act Two is nonstop for me. It was also my first time performing in a musical in London, so there was pressure! With Liza, it’s more like a wild, joyful concert—I get to play with the audience, write the material, and choose every song. And after sixteen years of doing her (terrifyingly!), slipping into that sequin pantsuit is like catching up with an old friend. Or a dirty martini. Maybe both.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see LIZA in TYPSY!?
Come along! Whether you’re a die-hard Liza fan or just love big musical theatre anthems, fabulous live music, and a good laugh—we’ll get along just fine. Come to the cabaret, old chum!
