Frank Sanazi, the alter-ego of Pete Cunningham, is the ultimate Singing Dictator, unleashing his extreme renditions of classic hits on unsuspecting nations of comedy lovers, in his relentless quest for World Domination. We caught up with the man behind the dictator to find out more about him, and some of the other acts he’s bringing to this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
Tell us a little about yourself
I have been an entertainer for 33 years now, having been rejected by RADA I decided to plot my own path on to the stage. I originally created a singing comedy character called Pete Perke who sported extravagant Lounge suits and who was firmly stuck in the 1970’s, together with an old fashioned Bingo Blower Machine, and Kitsch prizes I hosted Bingo Comedy Cabaret nights in S.E. London which proved really popular and gave early starts to now established comics like Paul Foot and Josie Long.
Being an established crooner handed me several opportunities and I was asked to be the singer in The London Swingfonia Big Band a 20 piece orchestra of repute and that’s where I first experienced Glastonbury in 1999 as the band were asked to do an afternoon set for 3 days in Shangri-La.
How does it feel to be performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival?
It’s always a joy to play Glastonbury as I view it as the Zenith of all festivals (having performed at the majority of the UK festivals). It’s made more enjoyable by the vibe created by staff and performers in Theatre & Circus. I always feel performers can be a little risqué with their sets at Festivals and I’m always on the look out for the weird and zany acts.
What can you tell us about your plans for the shows?
This year I’ve been asked to perform a set of Neil Diamond on the Sunday evening at The Cabaret Tent as I have recently been concentrating on tributing legendary artists, this is a complete contrast to the 2 other acts I’m doing at the Festival, 1 is Frank Sanazi a strange hybrid of Sinatra and Hitler. Frank is the Ubermeister of Dark Lounge cabaret and reworks Sinatras clastic songs to a Third Reichy style. Frank is the Leader of The Iraq Pack who feature Saddami Davis Jnr, Dean Stalin and Osama Bin Crosby and he plays the Cabaret stage on Friday night and Mavericks on Sunday night the other is Elvis Corpseley a Zombie Elvis act from beyond the grave he appears late night at Mavericks on the Saturday.
Will you be checking out any other acts across the weekend?
I’m always on the lookout for singing acts to parody, so if you are an earnest legendary performer beware. At this years Festival I’m going to make a beeline to catch Alison Goldfrapp, Sparks and if they actually turn up a bit of Guns and Moses .. sorry Guns and Roses. My top tip is to try and catch Mik Artistik and his band who will be performing all around Theatre & Circus he puts a smile on everyone’s face. Peace and Love and good weather
