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| Rhonda Burchmore and dancers in "Cabaret de Paris" |
Produced and
Directed by David Boyd – Costumes by Cathie Boyd, Shy Designs, Bruce Scott
Choreographed
by Todd Patrick and Matt Browning – Lighting designed by Jeremy Dehn
Sound design
by Tom Hawker- Music Editing an Production by Craig Bryant & Tom Hawker
Canberra
Theatre Centre Playhouse, June 15th & 16th
Performance
on 15th June reviewed by BILL STEPHENS
Classic French
revue is the ultimate fantasy, usually showcasing a legendary cabaret star,
surrounded by teams of gorgeous dancers who parade in extravagant costumes
designed to glorify the female form while covering as little as possible, punctuated
by clever specialty acts the main function of which is to keep the audience
entertained while the dancers change. .
Michael Boyd
is an internationally renowned illusionist who is also a producer and
entrepreneur. Boyd has been bringing French-style revues to Canberra for some
years, but “Cabaret de Paris” is his crowning achievement yet.
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| The dancers of "Cabaret de Paris" |
To showcase Australia’s
best known and admired showgirl, Rhonda Burchmore, Boyd has gathered an
extraordinary team of skilled dancers in Courtney Casaceli, Jessica Evans,
Rhylee Pin, Katarina Rasenberger, Mikaela Schreuder, Elysha Atwell, Georgia
Lacey, Tyrone Anthony and Jack Evans. All
have performed in Paris in either the famed Moulin Rouge or the Paris Lido, and
it shows.
All have
mastered the unique style and carriage of the French cabaret showgirl,
performing Matt Browning’s intricate routines with elegance and admirable precision,
whether displaying an endless succession of extravagant feathered and
bejewelled creations or tearing up the stage in the most energetic Can Can to
be seen outside Paris.
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| The dance team in "Cabaret de Paris" performing the Can Can. |
In the true
French cabaret tradition, to give his dancers time to change, Boyd himself
thrills with his remarkable illusions which involve slicing beautiful
assistants into pieces, then putting
them together again, disappearing and re-appearing from locked trunks and executing puzzling feats of levitation, all with his trademark style and
panache.
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| David Boyd and assistant performing in "Cabaret de Paris" |
There’s also
a remarkable contortionist, Veronica Waite, who amazes with her ability to
twist her body into impossible positions, and exhibiting remarkable strength
and ingenuity with her stunning pole dancing routine.
But central
to the show is Australia’s most revered showgirl, Rhonda Burchmore, who fresh
from a national tour in the musical, “Hairspray”, and winning the hearts of the
nation as a gritty contestant in the television series “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me
Out of Here”, returns to what she knows best; captivating her audience by strutting
her stuff singing her heart out and telling gags, while costumed in glamorous
gowns, and flirting with handsome male dancers.
“Cabaret de
Paris” with its excellent production values encompassing imaginative lighting, excellent
sound and stylish, finely honed performances not only successfully captures the
true essence of classic French cabaret, but is probably among one of the best
examples of this genre you’ll likely to see outside Paris.
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 16th June 2023
Rhonda Burchmore and dancers in "Cabaret de Paris"
Production photos by David Wyatt