Bijou: A Cabaret Of Secrets And Seductions
French cabaret is like a selection of bonbons: soft, sweet, dark, bitter and decadent.
It takes someone as talented as Chrissie Shaw to bring those sensations to a performance, and she’ll no doubt achieve that in her upcoming show .
Written by Shaw, it was inspired by a photograph of a mature, bejewelled woman sitting in a Parisian cafe. The photo was taken by George Brassai, famous for his images of the seedy, underworld Parisian nightlife of the 1930’s.
When Shaw saw it, she thought: “Oh my God, I want to be that woman!” and fabricated a biography incorporating what little facts she could find on the woman, and real events at the time.
Bijou, Shaw’s creation, takes the audience on a journey through her life using song, dance, poetry, drama and comedy. She is in a Parisian cafe, alone but for the pianist, played by Alan Hicks (an accomplished classical pianist in his first acting role).
Shaw’s role is physically and emotionally tough. Her anecdotes take us to a traumatic childhood incident; to humorous encounters with strangers; to some very raunchy sexual scenarios; and it is all “relived” on stage.
As Shaw explains, the memories are bringing Bijou undone: “In actual fact, what we’re seeing is her unravelling.”
With classics such as ‘Falling In Love Again’ as well as some obscure and surprising songs, Shaw believes the show will be an aural treat: “The music is absolutely fantastic. It’s not just songs there’s a lot of French classical music…”
Not only is Chrissie the writer and star of the show, but she had to organise a lot of the funding as well. Through a Pozible campaign and help from friends, she managed to produce the show, buy some set props and even get an Auslan signer for the deaf. The Pozible campaign is still running to help raise funds for touring costs.
If you enjoy French culture, nostalgia and intriguing narrative then go and see this show. As Shaw says: “…it transports you for a little while into another world.” (RB)
Aug 17−27; Wed-Sat, 8pm + Sun 5pm. The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. $22-$32. Tickets & info: www.thedepottheatre.com
BY RITA BRATOVICH
