Legendary Showgirl Monique St John Passes Away

Monique St John, legendary Sydney Les Girls and cabaret performer, passed away on November 14, 2023.

One of the original Queens of the Cross, St John has performed for crowds all over Australia for the past six decades.

The Rolls Royce Of Female Impersonation

St John starred in Les Girls at Kings Cross, from its early inception till its final show. She also co-starred in the acclaimed Playgirl Revue show at the Newtown Hotel for over 25 years, alongside fellow showgirl and friend, the late Simone Troy.

Her captivating performances reached national acclaim, with St John and Troy being dubbed the ‘Rolls Royce of female impersonation’. The Playgirls Revue received four Mo Awards for Best Variety Show Production during its long run.

She was a charismatic figure within the industry, being a popular guest on The Midday Show with Derryn Hinch. Speaking openly about LGBTQIA+ communities and her own dedication to cabaret performances, she captivated the nation.

“Monique possessed rare qualities which made her shine,” said her beloved sister Trish.

“A fun, cheeky, gorgeous, caring, loving individual never seeking adulation or attention but she commanded that naturally by just being the person she was.”

“A brilliant new star will be shining brightly down upon us all from the sky’s… the brightest one of all,” Trish commented to Facebook.

“I am SO proud and so blessed to be her sister and my heart will forever be broken. She was in my life from my first [breath] and I was able to be with her in her final [breaths].”

St John’s family has followed her requests and will not hold a funeral service.

Her charming legacy will remain in the hearts of her family, friends, and community.

“The Ultimate Showgirl”

Speaking with Star Observer, friend and long-time showgirl Penny Clifford gave insight into St John’s incredible life, which has left an expansive legacy.

Clifford had toured with St John throughout her career, working with the Playgirls Revue and around Sydney as a showgirl and cabaret performer.

Reminiscing on St John’s stage presence, Clifford described her as “the ultimate showgirl.”

Nicknamed “the body,” St John would regularly perform a “reverse strip tease” – walking out in a negligee gown and to be slowly be covered up. Clifford noted it as one of her most recognised performances, showcasing her showmanship and humour.

Along with St John’s incredible stage presence, off stage Clifford says she was a “very caring woman” who always supported other showgirls and local community.

“The work that she did, and besides all [of her work on stage], she was just a wonderful woman,” said Clifford.

Noting her “wickedly disgusting sense of humour,” Clifford continued, “She could tell a joke on stage that probably anyone else would take a minute to do, and she could drag it out for 5 minutes and really take that punch line out.”

Clifford hopes that St John’s groundbreaking work on and off stage continues to be recognised within the community,  with her “groundbreaking” advocacy for Trans representation across Australia.

“You know, we’re talking about [the] early 80s… And so this is a show that would go to Alice Springs casino just like in the movie… but [we were] doing it long before Priscilla,” says Clifford, recalling the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

“You know, we didn’t do it in buses. We did fly. And occasionally if we were doing country tours, we would be in a bus or a few cars. But in general, the groundbreaking work that show did to educate the people in the country and about trans [people] and the Showgirl world was incredible,” Clifford continues.

Clifford hopes that St John’s legacy in “breaking the boundaries” for queer entertainers, continues to be respected and cherished by future generations. Additionally, she hopes people continue to recognise St John as “the ultimate showgirl and the ultimate woman.”