Madame Martha’s Parisian Cabaret is a campy, quirky, delightful emotional roller-coaster ride, that will hit you in all of the feels, over a truly captivating hour of queer joy.
What better place for my first theatre review than my beloved Old Fitz, which I fell in love with with “Cut Chilli”, and have since frequented as a viewer, and even performed in their “Senseless & Fitz” Shakespeare night. The vibe is funky and atmospheric. The bartender very accommodating of requests for a “lemonade top up” when I realised that Negronis may look cool, but taste rather vile.
The welcome is warm as we enter the theatre. The set is very much in line with Parisian cabaret. Deep burgundies and mixed glass lampshades, doorways adorned with “show lights”. I sit in the second row, knowing all spots in this delightfully intimate theatre are a winner.
Then our beautiful trio enter; graceful, careful, flowing and enchanting as they fill they space with their bodies and soon their harmonic voices. With Meg Hickey having absolutely no limits to what can be achieved with those vocal pipes… and an accordion to boot. Their costumes are gorgeous and each artist moves with their own unique elegance as they dance and sing a rendition of “Bad Guy”.
It becomes clear their physical freedom, poetic exploration and musical gifts feed off the shared talent of the trio and their reverie is only broken by the omnipresent, fearsome watchful eye of “Madame Martha”.
The choreography is stunning. Every movement is full-bodied and intentional. There is a collective heart between this troupe that keeps you captivated, entranced and SAFE as deep themes are tackled through the many facets and layers of “cabaret” with a touch of Vaudeville. Be prepared for tits and tips (well, more than that, but I couldn’t resist the alliteration). The actors bare themselves both literally and figuratively on the stage with full abandon and celebration of their forms.
My eyes filled with tears as Iva Rosebud delivered a deeply moving “What Makes A Man A Man” taking us on a heartfelt musical journey.
Jens Radda is giving “Mother” energy and keeping the three of them connected and intertwined throughout.
The crowd favourite was clearly the extraordinary “Pink Pony Club” where the harmonies slayed, and the audience were ready and rearing when it became clear we could now sing and clap along.
This show lets you all the way in and touches you in deep places. It was a delight!
To book tickets to Madame Martha’s Parisian Cabaret, please visit https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/madame-marthas.
Photographer: Solitude & Co
