Street
Theatre until 8th September.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
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| Chrissie Shaw as Bijou |
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| Bijou by Brassai |
An image of
an elderly pearl-draped woman, taken by photographer Brassai in the Bar de la
Lune in Montmartre in 1932, was the catalyst for this extraordinary production.
The woman was known as Bijou.
Though little is known about Bijou, her image inspired
Canberra actor/writer, Chrissie Shaw to create and perform this exquisitely
evocative cabaret about a wonderfully irascible, mischievous, beguiling story-teller.
Shaw draws on all her theatrical skills, honed over a career of remarkable
performances, to create a totally believable, fascinating character, who sings,
dances, teases, flirts, and ultimately breaks your heart, as she rummages
through her recollections, rewinding her life as a survivor of the ‘Great War’.
Her stories are funny, horrifying, pathetic and sometimes profoundly sad, but
all have the ring of truth...or are they just the ramblings of a manipulative,
clever, old woman desperate to hold the attention of the audience, who,
unwittingly, have become another character in her stories?
Susan
Pilbeam’s unobtrusive direction carefully guides Shaw through Imogen Keen’s warm,
glowing Bar de la Rue, decorated with flickering candlelight and rich fabrics.
Curtains become bridal veils, and table numbers morph into sensuous props as Bijou
moves among her audience, dancing a la Mata Hari, or singing with a voice that
has known life, the cleverly chosen collection of songs which advance and
embellish her stories.
Liz Lea has devised dances that fit the character as
beautifully as Victoria Worley’s luxurious collection of faded finery and Gillian
Schwab bathes the whole proceedings in ever-changing, dramatic, moody lighting.
Alan Hicks is superb as the long-suffering bar-pianist, providing a strong
supportive presence, sensitive piano accompaniments and even gentle vocal
harmonies. All are essential contributions to a riveting tour de force
performance by Chrissie Shaw in this gloriously entertaining, beautifully
realised production.
