Eve Ferret
Le Document were delighted to interview Eve Ferret who is a singer, actor, and cabaret artiste in pursuit of happiness and laughter for all.
Le Document (LD) I really liked your recent installation in The Chelsea Arts Club Cabinet. Have you been a member of C.A.C. a long time? What are the best things about being a member?
Eve Ferret (EF) I am so chuffed you liked My Candy Box installation. I have been a member for 9 years but first went to the club with Molly Parkin in the 70’s. It’s so fabulous to be a member, you can go when you want, take guests, or on your own, there’s always someone to chat to or a nook to just sit and stare at the glorious garden. It’s always different, always something happening, a safe haven in the centre of London.
LD What is your next art project? What are you working on at the moment?
EF I have a commission for a painting for a member of the Chelsea Arts Club. I am working on new songs and poetry.
LD Which visual artists inspired you the most – are there any famous paintings you never get tired of looking at?
EF Now that is hard, so many, Dallas Simpson, Degas, Manet, Dorothea Tanning, Soutine and Helen Downie – unskilled worker on Instagram.
LD You were born in Pimlico and you live there now. What do you love most about the place?
EF Pimlico is in the centre of London and the centre of my heart. A village where you know everyone and can also be completely lost. My Nan lived here, had seven daughters who all lived on the surrounding streets with their children. playing out on the bomb sites till 10pm when we were under 10 alone and safe, even the dogs were let out on their own for a couple of hours. I went to school on my own at the age of 6/7 admittedly it was only streets away. I know the family’s and their history and also their grand children. The doors had keys dangling on string for us to pull through the letter box to get in. It is close enough to Soho and the clubs to walk home, not so bad with night buses but essential when that did not exist. Which I still appreciate, scooting across St James Park as I am still a night owl.
LD I met Gene Wilder at a book signing once and was struck by how shy he was. What was he like to work with? In Haunted Honeymoon he was both the lead actor and the director – was he an anxious kind of guy?
EF Never, he was kind, very thoughtful and funny. Gene never made you feel uncomfortable and gave you wings to fly.
LD You worked with David Bowie on a few occasions? Do you have a favourite album of his or a particular song of his that means a lot to you?
EF Well again to choose one is hard, when I hear the first line of Absolute Beginners, ‘I’ve nothing much to offer’ makes me tingle, or the nostalgia of Kooks off Hunky Dory as I sang along with my own son in the car ‘soon you’ll grow so take a chance’ … Ashes to Ashes just makes me sad, reminds me of Steve (Strange) and his excitement to be in the video … his Let’s Dance ‘put on your red shoes and dance the blues’ makes me smile. Bowie an artist for every emotion.
LD You have a very impressive singing voice – did your talent become apparent in the school choir – did your family encourage you from an early age – and what songs give you the most pleasure to sing?
EF You are so kind to say so, I did sing in the school choir though it is so far away from the American artists I admire like Aretha and Marvin who came through the gospel choirs. I love most genres, but to sing, I’m happiest in a bluesy jazzy tinged song and don’t forget camp!
LD Are you at your happiest singing on stage? Ultimately is the performing in front of a live audience the thing you get the biggest kick out of?
EF I really, really love performing live, especially if it’s my own show, that I can change at will, to entertain the audience and situation. This is obviously impossible to happen if you are in a play or with others as it would be very selfish of me as they wouldn’t know what is going on.
LD What advice would you give to someone who wants to sing but who suffers from stage fright?
EF I have spent as much time in a state of fear unable to even think of performing or my art as I have actually singing or showing my work. The night before my Chelsea Art Club show, I lay in bed thinking Why? Why? Why? would I reveal myself in this way, my thoughts and loves … open to criticism … I suppose the quote ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ by Susan Jeffers is something you should use, daily, every hour, what is the worse that could happen, someone doesn’t like it? Well I love Ella Fitzgerald and I heard someone say they didn’t like her voice it was too sweet! They are absolutely allowed that opinion, you can never please everyone. Do what makes your own heart sing.
LD What’s the punch line of your favourite joke?
EF I don’t have one. Situations we find ourselves in make me hoot.
LD Some people say School Days were the happiest days of their life – do you have a certain period or decade you look back on where everything was perfect?
EF I didn’t enjoy school. One bully in my primary, I thought his crucifying words were only directed at me, I found out five decades later a local boy had the same verbal abuse and he was still affected. My 20s were great, so much so I remained 23 for 7 years ha! and every decade since has been a joy.
LD What do you want to change and what do you want to remain the same?
EF Everything changes all the time, but if I could show people consequences of their actions from carrying knives to harsh words as opposed to smiling and having time for strangers as well as friends. It’s the difference between the takers of our lives and the enhancers of them. The pandemic has hi-lighted that we need to be more understanding and mindful of others. Then from my own mouth, I want to scream very loudly ‘Lets party like there's no tomorrow’.
