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Born in the UK, Leon’s early life took him to Zambia as a young child before the family settled in South Africa in 1989. With a degree in live performance from South Africa, he immersed himself in the country’s vibrant theatre scene. “What I love about drama is that it changes all the time,” he explains. “Once you finish one show, you work your balls off – it’s crazy – and then it’s over. You’re onto something completely different. So you’re never going to get bored of it.”
Performing in the blood
South Africa’s highly cosmopolitan cultural landscape, with its high-quality theatre festivals and networking opportunities, shaped him profoundly. Yet, after university, Leon wasn’t sure what path to take. Theatre work was rewarding but didn’t always pay the bills, so he transitioned into financial planning in Johannesburg – a smart move for an artist, as they are the ones who are more often than not the ones most impractical with money. “In financial planning, there are sharks out there, but there are also people doing good too, adding real value to society,” he reflects.
Later, he moved into quality assurance, a field barely heard of in Spain at the time but desperately needed. He took courses in Total Quality Management, with its Japanese origins emphasising people management and putting those people first. This focus on excellence and human connection would later infuse his return to the stage.
Family ties brought Leon to the Costa del Sol. His parents retired to the area in 2010, falling in love with Mijas and Valtocado after visits to friends. Drawn back to Europe, Leon joined them in Alhaurín el Grande in 2017. “For me, Spain is like a small piece of Africa in Europe,” he says with his distinctive South African accent.
Life of art, music and causes with a passion
Settling inland, Leon channelled his energy into community causes. A passionate horse lover, he volunteered at a local horse sanctuary. He also organised charity fashion shows promoting “slow fashion” and sustainability, sourcing outfits from charity shops. His pre-pandemic steampunk-themed event was a hit, followed by a 2022 “Slow Fashion Show” at Artsenal Inoxis, benefiting Cudeca cancer hospice and ARCH horse rescue.
But the stage never stopped calling. “Every time I see you perform, you’re singing something different,” I noted. Leon’s sets are never predictable. He only sings songs he truly connects with emotionally – “performer songs” he calls them. Songs that he makes his own. From The Pixies and The Verve to 90s and 2000s diamonds. A chance involvement in a Radiohead tribute band sparked this selective approach: “I don’t sing just anything. I need to feel a song, connect with it.”
What makes Leon stand out from the crowd is his audience-reading skill – gauging the room and improvising to keep audiences engaged and dancing. He respects acts like New Tricks for always keeping setlists fresh, especially for repeat crowds. In late 2024, he officially launched his performance career with a memorable event at Alhaurín Golf Hotel, followed by hosting talent showcases through Leon Events at the vibrant Artsenal Inoxis art space – a hub he discovered via language exchanges and collaborations with artists like Carmen Peña.
From corporate quality assurance to captivating Costa del Sol nights, Leon Patras is all about dedication to excellence. Whether MCing, singing, or championing causes, his infectious enthusiasm lights up a room and reminds us why live entertainment thrives here.
