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Reviewed Thursday 18th July 2013
Popular Adelaide entertainer, Anya Anastasia, has branched out into a new area by bringing together a selection of acts into a cabaret variety show filled with music, dance, burlesque and more. She has called it Fear-Eater Theatre, which gives an indication that some of the material might be dark, edgy and even a little challenging.
The theme for the Grand Opening, to launch what is going to become a monthly event, was The Great Gatsby, and patrons were invited to dress accordingly. Many did so, myself and my guest included, and this added to the fun and excitement of the evening. The venue was Adelaide's home of cabaret, La Bohème, the quirky and intimate wine bar that hosts year around performances of cabaret, is the centre of the annual Adelaide Cabaret Fringe, and has a modern jazz group playing every Wednesday evening, with free entry.
The cold, wet, windy night was instantly forgotten once inside this warm and welcoming night spot, as The Atlantic Street Band, a three piece trad jazz band, trumpet, banjo and sousaphone, got toes tapping as corks popped and old friends met up and chatted, during the half hour before the performances began.
Anya Anastasia was the MC for the evening and also sang a set of her own songs, accompanying herself at the keyboard. Her works shows strong links to composers like Kurt Weill and Frederick Hollander of the German Kabarett between the wars, that flourished during the Weimar Republic, then through post war French cabaret embracing the darkness of Jacques Brel. She is part of the very modern cabaret movement that includes performers such as the self described "Brechtian punk cabaret" artist, Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, and the two sister, The Pierces, whose single, Secret, was chosen as the theme for the television show, Pretty Little Liars.
A 'skeleton dance', also featuring Anya Anastasia, with Elsie Mae and Michael Jaxon Carson, who was decorated by body painter, Vanessa Kalderovskis, was danced to the Edgar Leslie and Walter Donaldson 1929 novelty song, T'aint No Sin (to Take Off your Skin).
Miss Kitty's Karavan, with three of members of her six piece backing band, two guitars and a violin, presented a few great numbers, confirming the reason for their success during the Adelaide Fringe. Keeping the lighter mood going, two of the Swing Sesh dancers, Laura and Bec, brought some well-choreographed and executed Charleston to the event.
Tap dancer, Red Uncensored, gave an unconventional performance, a long way from Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, or even the more modern work of Dein Perry and his Tap Dogs group. She has taken the genre into new territory. Belly dancer, Lilly Sim, also takes her art well beyond traditional forms, with hints of gypsy and burlesque within her sensuous movements.
The evening closed with a cheeky performance by neo-burlesque artist, Leopard Lass, which surprised a few people who were not expecting quite what happened. It was a great finish to what had been a superb evening of entertainment over a range of cabaret and burlesque forms, and this is only the beginning.
The theme for next time is Fear-Eater Theatre New Orleans Edition at 7:30pm on Thursday 15th August at La Bohème. As always with this venue, it pays to book as early as possible, since the intimacy does mean that tickets are limited.
Photo by LeAnne King of Crackerjack Photographic Studios
