Cabaretica April 2024: Miscellanea

La Mama Cabaretica is a quarterly cabaret offering curated by theatre actor, singer, producer and theatre maker Isabel Knight. The show aims to showcase emerging and local cabaret talent and this year offered debut and return performances as part of the program. Knight also acts as the host or MC of the event and creates a very vibrant and energetic atmosphere. She provides raucous encouragement and support for the daring and often very contrasting acts included in this show. The performers were not only given the opportunity to strut their stuff but also to make a strong personal connection to the audience. In fact, some of the backstories provided by Knight or the performers were very moving and made some of the performances quite poignant. 

The show opened with some sultry jazz numbers by Chiew-Jin Khut. This was a return to the stage after a two-year hiatus and Khut was very enthusiastically welcomed back. Her alluring and powerful vocals along with her stylish costuming gave her a delightful air of sophistication. 

Anna Key was the next act, and no warning is sufficient for the devilish deviancy of her performance style. The anarchic nature of her act is expressed in her outlandish costuming combined with her sexually provocative movements and interactions with the audience. Key’s shock and awe tactics are extremely effective and have been aptly described as sociopathic. 

The following act was a distinct change in tune with Melbourne based circus artist, theatre maker, writer and actor Anna Lumb. She provided a delightful performance with hoops and her control and flair created mesmerising colours and patterns. Lumb returns to the stage after a very serious injury and by sharing the story of her recovery the importance and value of this performance is extremely heightened.

The next performer, Sheik the Freak, is a drag artist whose highly elastic acrobatics and sensuality are unequivocally asserted in an awe-inspiring manner. The costuming, movement, and use of fans is quite a feast for the eye. Sheik the Freak is very humble and unassuming but clearly enjoys the playfulness of their burlesque stage presence.

The final act by drag diva, Strewth, provided a real showstopper. As a towering figure with opulent and flamboyant costuming Strewth makes quite an entrance. Strewth has a captivating yet gentle approach to their performance style and easily wins over the audience with endearing humour and irony.  

Cabaretica April 2024: Miscellanea is a show where you can expect the unexpected and where the audience is made a crucial part of the high-octane energy it generates.

Patricia Di Risio