LEYTONSTONE: "Freaks" impress rock legend (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LEYTONSTONE: "Freaks" impress rock legend Alice Cooper

10:37am Friday 13th August 2010 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

A PAIR of self-confessed freaks from Leytonstone have won the chance to perform on stage with rock icon Alice Cooper after impressing him at a gruesome talent contest.

Daredevil stunt artists Vivid Angel - real name Lisett Jansen - and Preacher Muad'dib beat off hundreds of other outrageous performers to scoop the coveted prize during auditions at the London Dungeon.

Mr Muad'dib, of Cann Hall Road, impressed Mr Cooper with his skill at inserting a nail and automatic drill up his nose, and also had the crowd in howls of disgusted delight when he pulled a piece of rubber through his nostrils and out of his mouth.

Meanwhile Ms Jansen, who is originally from Holland, captivated on-lookers by lying on a pile of broken glass as the multi-award-winning musician cautiously stood on top of her.

Leytonstone's rich freak heritage was further reinforced by audition organisers Wake Up Productions - who are also based in the area.

Mr Muad'dib – who has changed his name more than 20 times by deed poll and refuses to tell even close friends his 'real' name - said: “It was very surreal and chaotic but it was great fun.

“Alice Cooper is a rock God, a legend, so it was amazing to perform for him - and to be one of the winners.”

The talented 30-year-old works as a freelance performer full-time and spends eight hours a day honing his various skills such as fire breathing and knife throwing.

He said: “There's a lot of misconception that acts like mine are painful, and a lot of performers will tell you it is, but if you know how to do it it's fine. However there is a risk of getting hurt and it would damage you very badly if you made a mistake.

“It's not like magic or an illusion, what you see is what you get.”

The duo will now go on stage as the warm-up acts for Mr Cooper's UK tour this autumn.

Visit www.preachingtotheconverted.com for more information about Mr Muad'dib, who you can catch at his next solo shows at the Brickhouse venue in Brick Lane daily from Wednesday September 1 until Saturday September 4.

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