Madame Mimic

‘Woman of a Thousand Voices’ Christina Bianco brings her divas and delights to South Africa

- Bruce Dennill

Impersonations, step one: how do you choose who to impersonate? Does there have to be a connection to you on some level – as a fan, or through some shared voice quality?

Christina Bianco I listen for voices with unique identifying qualities, a distinct something I can, er, lovingly exaggerate. There are many singers I can’t copy, but where I can, I look for colour and personality.

I grew up listening to all genres. There were wonderful voices in musical theatre, but also in country music – Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and others. There are also singers, like Barbra Streisand, who people don’t necessarily listen to all the time, but they know what she sounds like. That sort of thing, that reach, is important when transporting a show to a new audience.

How much of a role do current affairs play in your shows? If nothing else, they might have an impact on who is popular at the time and how much mileage you can get out of including them?

I’m not a stand-up comedian, so there is no need for topical information during the whole show. But putting in trending topics is important, so I allow for flexibility. I do speaking impressions as well, and try to make it unexpected – not the sort of thing you’ll see on Saturday Night Live.

You must encounter the people you’re impersonating from time to time. Has anyone ever had a negative reaction?

The people who have contacted me have all had only positive things to say. I think, in part, it’s because people can see I do it with love. They see that it’s flattery; that I admire so much about them.