Stephen Atkinson and Garry Lane met in Castleford before jointly running the famous gay pub the New Penny in Leeds until 1983. At which point they started performing as the Dreamgirls. During the 80s and 90s they were regular performers in Hulls working mens clubs, at Tower, The Alexandra, St George’s. Their show was packed full of comedy, patter, mime and live singing and even Stephen fire breathing. Bobby Mandrell described them as “The funniest act you’ll see – hilarious”.
Many of their promo photographs were taken by Alex Simpson who had a studio on Newland Avenue.
Individually they also performed drag as Mr Chris Black and Stevie Charles. The Dreamgirls retired in 2026.
It was either Hull or Manchester, they both seemed to have big gay scenes. In Hull there seemed to be no problems, everyone we worked with were always so friendly. In Hull it was great, there were sailors, men from all over the world, gay men and lesbians – everyone all together. They took you for a person, not your sexual preference. They couldn’t care what you looked like.
Click red arrow to hear the Dreamgirls oral history
