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Deano - up to date... and still With It!
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Described as a vivacious
woman with bright red hair who oozes energy and enthusiasm, Deano
was featured in fine magazine article not too long ago, written by
Colleen Toms. She was interviewed in the living room of her country home in Paris - and the writer noted that the decor matched her personality - earthy, adventurous, keen and dynamic. The article recalls how Deano won Opportunity Knocks as a 12-year-old - the audience's applause measured on the Clapometer - and later got a recording contract from Columbia. "I never had singing lessons, just a natural ability, and singing was what I loved to do" she explained. Her first record was released in 1965, and a TV show to promote her LP. The programme was called 'Little Miss With It', and Deano explained "It was probably one of the first music videos made." Her records charted, and she was in high demand for concerts, cabarets and clubs throughout Europe. And she shared the spotlight with the likes of Patti Labelle, Steve Winwood and Tom Jones, and met the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. "I was in love with Brian Jones and I was 13 when I met them. We had been on the same television programme and I knew Brian Jones was in the next dressing room, so I asked my mum 'can we go and say hello?' It was Mick Jagger who answered the door, but I wasn't awestruck back them, I think because I was in the business." The band politely greeted their young fan, and Deano recalls "They were very sweet to me". In all Dean made around eight records for Columbia. She reflects: "It's great being a has-been. I've got some great memories and I truly consider myself lucky to have done what I did. I'm without it now, but then I was still with it," she jokes. Over the next four decades Deano appeared and starred in many musical productions, including The King and I, Victor Victoria and My Fair Lady. Now in her fifties she continues to work hard, through her Talk of the Town Productions. Teaching and directing are her new loves, and she works hard to see other children enjoy the same joyfulk experience of the theatre as she did. Her three goals with Talk of the Town Productions are to teach kids the magical world of live theatre, to produce first class musical theatre, and to make all shows accessible to inner city kids and their families by keeping ticket costs to a minimum. 
She feels for the wealth of dormant talent among young people, who
perhaps because of their backgrounds will never know the excitement
and euphoria of professional theatre."I'm getting my dream now of passing on my love to the kids. I truly believe teaching youngsters the joys of performance is my true calling" she explained. A number of professional actors and musicians have helped make her dream a reality, and local sponsorship is welcomed and vital to ensure the success of the non-profit venture. Her dream is to build a barn on a piece of her property and transform it into a musical theatre with the help of husband Vic. She has acted alongside her nine-year-old grandaughter Jayda, and her daughter Gemma has dipped her toes into performing but has never taken as great an interest in entertainment as her mother. "This Menopausal Mama (the title of her latest adult show) will keep me energized and fighting fit through my fifties," she says. |
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