Last night at the James Hay Theatre was like a Cinderella's ball to me. Having a few months off performance and entertainment certainly impacts on an artist's health and wealth. Hence, the phenomenal success of last night's Christchurch City Chorus concert where I performed 3 songs.

I got dressed in my beautiful blue frock and had my hair and make up done by Julie-Anne who is a member of the Chorus and a professional stylist, hair and make up artist. Trembling, as if it was my first time on stage, was I standing behind the curtain listening to my introduction by Sandy Gunn. She was telling the story of her and I traveling to Italy together last year. I would sing for her every night, so by the end of the trip we were almost like best friends. She carried me around in her suitcase. Sandy could only afford space for one CD so she picked mine! So there I was, feverish with delight and flattery waiting to go on. Sandy in her amplified voice announced 'YULIA!' and I heard my singing coming through to the House with the immortal 'L'Hymne a l'Amour'. After singing a couple of bars backstage I put my best foot forward and drenched in the light and the presence of the Spirit of Theatre. It wrapped around me like a cloud of smoke. It burnt me from within. The incomparable feeling of freedom and belonging.

'L'Hymne a L'amour' was then followed by 'Russia', the song which earned me many loyal fans. The Russian language of the song merges with the Music language. Even if you don't speak neither, you sure do understand them both. Through the experience of Art. Through the Spirit of Theatre. Music is a healer. Music is an inspirer.

Climbing off my high stool, after finishing 'Russia' with a woman's sobs in the front row, guitar in my hands, I requested some help from the audience. Help with holding the guitar for me while I was putting my beautiful sparkling gloves on. A brave man by the name of Phil kindly came up on stage. The 'glove' process was taking a while.. So I asked Phil to take a seat on my stool. So he did. Once the gloves were on, the audience got a cheeky glance from my part playfully adjusting the gloves, like a surgeon before an operation. All it took was a slight nod towards the sound desk for a familiar tune to come on. Habanera from Carmen as it were. The audience burst with laughter as I took the guitar off Phil and put it on the stand. The show unfolded when I started walking around Phil with a hazy gaze and sassy moves playing Carmen. I sat on his lap, I stroked his arms, massaged his shoulders, played with his hair, danced with him, while Phil looked very much out of his comfort zone, unexcited at the time, which all added to the trick. The Full House was in ecstasy, as you may well imagine. I finished with a high note and thanked Phil. The experience he will never forget.

Nor will I.

It's a drug. The Stage. My well-being depends on it. My life depends on it.

I couldn't go to sleep last night, visualising my fans. You were all around me, smiling, laughing, crying, sobbing, on your feet, stamping, clapping, whistling, screaming for more! Happy, inspired, uplifted, grateful..This is what I call life!

xx
Yulia