IT was a tough year for Op Telic in 2005 and CSE struggled to get into theatre with any sort of entertainment. CSE needed to find some middle ground that would give a tough operational audience the impact of a big stage production, with the logistical ease of a one-man band. So they got together a quartet of top-flight comedians – Gina Yashere, Rhod Gilbert, Paul Tonkinson and Andy Askins. But they needed that bit of extra razzle-dazzle...
And they found her in the shape of Madame Galina. Fifteen stone of tutu and tiara, classically-trained in ballet...oh, and a bloke. This was a risky mission.
Show one – Al Amarah. The quality of the comedians was undoubted and they went down a storm. But as the moment for Madame Galina’s entree approached, CSE boss Nicky Ness had her head in her hands, seeing her career in Forces entertainment about to go up in smoke.
“A stunning run of stand-up wowed the audience, but then I thought ‘and now comes the cross-dressing fat ballerina’,” she said. “I wondered what I had done.”
As Madame Galina took to the stage all Swan Lake, there was indeed a split second of incredulity from the Para audience – and then a roar of approving laughter as the first – fairly filthy – gag kicked in.
“Reggie”, a 23-year-old Glaswegian, was coaxed onto the stage to perform a pas de deux with Madame. Naturally he became a local hero.
As Reggie and Madame took their bows and left the stage, they were silently in absolute awe of each other.
Until, that is, Reggie said: “Naebody comes up here tae see us. Naebody. You was brilliant!”
CSE Forces Entertainment is part of SSVC, the Services’ charity which also provides BFBS TV and Radio, SSVC Forces Cinemas, SSVC Retail and runs the British Defence Film Library (BDFL).
CSE Forces Entertainment is part of SSVC, the Services’ charity which also provides BFBS TV and Radio, SSVC Forces Cinemas, SSVC Retail and runs the British Defence Film Library (BDFL). 
