How I met My Dead Husband

Four lifetimes and three cultures collide in this hilarious yet heart-felt cabaret comedy. Writer and performer Lansy Feng has drawn on her own life experiences as a Taiwanese-born Aussie married to a Frenchman, to create the story of Chuen-Jiau. She’s on the hunt for her true love, but has to wait until her fourth life to finally be with him. Even then, they don’t live happily ever after.

Feng delivers a gutsy performance, seamlessly moving from one life to the next, changing age, place and era and speaking and singing in three languages. While singing is not Feng’s strongest suit, the songs contributed to the ambiance of certain scenes. There was a mixture of original songs and some juke-box with lyrics changed to fit the storyline. They gave the show pop-culture references for the audience to relate to and created a bridge between languages when she sang the same songs in both English and Mandarin. The accompaniment on piano was delightful.

If there were an award for best use of props in live theatre, I’d give it to this show. Other characters are created and comprehension of the non-English-spoken parts is enhanced with the simple wave of an apple or croissant. Ariel eat your heart out!

Speaking of Disney Princesses, Chuen-Jiau is some-what like them in her naïve quest for her one true love. This innocence creates hysterical contrast when she suddenly blurts out a swear-word or is asking strange men, voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Jennifer Piper’s clever lighting design helps keep the show moving. The stage is set as a Buddhist funeral. They were careful to observe cultural requirements, such as the coffin being higher than everything else. This did mean, however, the light box had to be placed low on the ground, where it was difficult for most audience members to see.

Overall though the space was intimate and engaging. Feng successfully transported the audience through time a space from the funeral home, to a 19^th-century village, to French-occupied Taiwan and beyond. The venue also serves great beverages and popcorn.

This sassy, cheeky, talented hero is well-worth the trip to Footscray. She might even teach you a thing or two about love.

Sophia Dickinson