After Dinner Speaking
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Deborah Leslie is available for bookings as an After Dinner Speaker.
To make an enquiry or booking, please give me a call on: 07752040631
Email: d2leslieltd@hotmail.com
Brought up in bonnie Aberdeenshire, Debbie is a country quine with a passion for the Mither Tongue and its preservation and says that the Doric is called the Mither Tongue because faither never gets the chance to spik.
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A born-bletherer, Deborah has always had far too much to say for herself. Raised in a typical North-east farming community where the flower of ambition was rarely watered, Deborah was somewhat of a late bloomer. After a brief gig pulling teeth in Torry as a dentist’s glamorous sidekick, she finally shrugged off the shackles of 9-to-5 employment and decided to have a crack at ‘going solo’.
Now, as a published short story writer, children’s novelist, after-dinner speaker, and a passionate champion of the North-east’s Doric dialect, words are the tools of Deborah’s trade and she wields them with fervour, charming audiences with her own unique brand of ‘coorse couthiness.’ With a head full of wickedness and a pen full of wit, Deborah delights in getting to ‘make things up’ for a living, fuelled by the mantra that, “A day without laughter is a day wasted”.
Taking inspiration for her down-to-earth humour from the ridiculousness of life, Deborah travels the country speaking at a whole host of different events – from Burns Suppers to club audiences, from WAGs’ nights to corporate events, and from Sportsmans’ dinners to Ladies’ days… No matter the company, Deborah always arrives armed with a killer smile, a ‘funcy frock’ and a side-splitting story to fit the bill.
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TESTIMONIALS
“…In a room full of stars from our Kindred Gatherings and other Highland Games, Debbie Leslie shon the brightest. Her Doric wit and humour were sparkling.
Scott Fraser, Honorary Vice President, Ballater Highland Games.
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“…On behalf of everyone at the Ayrshire Hospice, I’d like to offer our sincere thanks to you for supporting our Burns Supper at the Brig o’ Doon House Hotel on Friday by performing the “Reply to the Lassies”. We have had fabulous feedback from our guests and it was lovely to see everyone enjoying the evening packed full of fabulous entertainment!…
Rebekah McGinn, Ayrshire Hospice Burns Supper at the Brig o’ Door House Hotel
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“…There’s been terrific feedback from table hosts and guests alike, and it’s quite clear that all present admired and enjoyed your easy style, fund of anecdotes, sense of humour and empathy for the works of Rabbie Burns…”
Charlie Bryden, The Wooden Spoon, Edinburgh
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“…You were fantastic and kept the whole day running smoothly. Thanks for coping so beautifully with all the minor hitches faced on the day – you were so cool under pressure and were entirely unruffled, a total pro!! We all loved your hilarious talk and I think it’s a real testament to how much everyone enjoyed it that you managed to hold 260 tipsy ladies’ attention! They all loved it!…”
Sarah Sleigh, Turriff Show Ladies’ Day – Tea and Tipples
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“…Debbie is a breath of fresh air on the after dinner circuit. She has a special charm about her and that Doric style is ridiculously engaging. I found her really funny and indeed fruity! There is still a massive shortage of female comedic talent at these functions. But believe me…Debbie does dinners…”
Chick Young, Football pundit, journalist, and after-dinner speaker
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“…Debbie gave a wonderfully entertaining speech at the 2016 Chartered Institute of Dinner Invitation Dinner. She instantly captured the audience and is a humorous speaker with her observations on the ‘men folk’ of the northeast variety. We will keep her in mind for a future occasion…”
Bill Beattie, Committee Member and CIOB Dinner Organiser
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“…I can honestly say you played a fantastic part on the night with everyone there thoroughly enjoying themselves. We have had great feedback from all that attended and we would not hesitate to use your great Doric sense of humour again. A big thank you from all at The Dundee Museum of Transport…”
Jimmy McDonell, The Dundee Museum of Transport, fundraising dinner
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“…Thank you for your entertaining After-Dinner speech at our annual dinner. You had the mainly male audience in fits of laughter with the female view of mankind…”
Richard Waud, TWI North Scottish Branch
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“…Debbie started off her Reply from the Lasses in story-telling fashion, quickly becoming ‘deadlier than the male’ in her mocking appreciation of mankind’s meagre contribution to understanding life. She compared women to inept men and finished in grand style with anecdotes regarding her grudging concession that somewhere, somehow, men do have some place in the grand scheme of things, albeit a very small one (we got the suspicion that her long-suffering man was very dear to her heart after all). Great delivery, first class humour and all in the North East’s Doric. Come back soon Debbie…”
Iain White, M-I SWACO
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“…Thank you for your appearance at the the Gordonian Annual Rugby Club Dinner. Your speech was enjoyed immensely by both young and old! We will certainly be keeping your name on file for any future entertainment needs…”
Jim Sugden, Gordonian RFC
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“…Debbie is one of the most refreshing, witty and naturally funny speakers I’ve heard for years…”
Robert Lovie, Property Manager of Fyvie Castle and North-East Entertainer
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“…Debbie replied to the Toast to the Lassies where she gave it to the men with both barrels, reduced the hall to helpless laughter and made herself an instant heroine to the womenfolk of the community… “
Mark Stephen, Broadcaster and Fyties Hall Chairman
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“…A great night’s entertainment is always guaranteed when Debbie is part of your night. A true local speaker with a wealth of knowledge and local dialect to entertain everyone…”
Barry Sangster, Inverurie Events, Burns Supper
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“…you were like a breath of fresh air to our members and guests from whom I have only had positive comments…”
Bill Maitland, Fraserburgh Golf Club
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“…Debbie has the ability to hold the audience with her warm personality and couthie brand of humour. This she showed to great effect at our recent Wags’ dinner where she performed with distinction before an audience of 430…”
Norman Esslemont, Wags Charity Dinner, Ardoe House Hotel
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“…Debbie Leslie is like a breath of fresh air. As easy on the ear as she is on the eye, and with the happy knack of making her audience relax and let the mental pictures she paints wash over them. All done with the couthy ability of the consummate professional, and in the Doric patois of which she is a passionate champion…”
Stuart Watson, Wags’ charity night, Inverurie Rotary Club
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“…Thanks for the brilliant after dinner speech. You were very witty and entertaining and you had the audience in the palm of your hand. You did the Kintore Pipe Band proud…”
Rosie Youngson, Kintore Pipe Band Tartan Ball
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“…Thank you so much! You were brilliant and had everyone in stitches…”
Lorraine Leith, Bennachie League Ladies’ Golf Dinner
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“…I would like to thank you very much for being a guest speaker at our recent dinner. You entertained us with your account of everyday happenings, albeit some behind closed doors, with the introduction of a little twist here and there. Your humour, facial expressions and timing were spot on. There is no better compliment, I am sure, than to hear the room explode with laughter each time you speak.The icing on the cake was to hear it in the Mither Tongue…”
Meldrum & Daviot Bowling Club
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“…you were outstanding! Your material and timing were spot on. The ‘Toast to the Lassies’ didn’t stand a chance alongside your cutting wit and honest look at the battle of the sexes…”
Fettercairn Burns Club