Lady Rizo: "The diva you always wanted to worship, but never found until now”

Cabaret performer, Lady Rizo

Lady Rizo, real name Amelia Zirin-Brown, describes herself as “a cabaret superstar, chanteuse and comedian. The diva you always wanted to worship, but never found until now”.

She's now making her London debut after becoming the toast of the Edinburgh Festival on her first trip to the UK last summer.

Zirin-Brown grew up with hippy parents who had created a community around their theatre company. She acted until her 20s and then decided to move into cabaret. Lady Rizo was created in 2004, inspired by singers such as Peggy Lee and Nina Simone: “I began to realise how socially progressive and strong you could be as a female musician,” she says.

The performer, who has won a Grammy for a track with the cellist Yo-Yo Ma, sings a range of covers as well as her own material, brought together with humour and audience participation. 'Lady Rizo', Soho Theatre, London W1 (www.sohotheatre.com) 18 February to 9 March