Review: Bold Chanteuse Catherine Alcorn Shares An Intimate Evening Of Music And Memories In CATHARTIC

Wednesday 23rd November 2016, Slide Lounge, Darlinghurst

Cementing her position in Sydney's Cabaret scene, Catherine Alcorn shares a night incredible music and some personal patter in her new show CATHARTIC. Whilst Alcorn is known for her touring show THE DEVINE MISS BETTE, capturing the iconic Miss Midler, CATHARTIC allows audiences to see a less scripted, live and loose, and equally fabulous Alcorn as she takes on a possibly more daunting cabaret challenge of being yourself and opening up to the audience.

For her one night engagement at Slide Lounge, Alcorn has opted to bring her performance to her audience, moving away from the traditional raised stage and presenting an 'in the round'. Alcorn is hemmed in to a small space by the positioning of Jamie Castrisos' percussion kit and Jeremy Brennan's baby grand piano with guitarist Glenn Moorehouse relegated to the main floor, but she manages to ensure that the whole audience is drawn into the experience. She also navigates the space to connect with the audience, also proving that no seat is truly 'safe'.

Alcorn has created an eclectic set list and given the works her own treatment, making them her own. Drawing on songs from well known songs from Bon Jovi, Blondie, and Belinda Carlisle, she also includes comedy numbers like Christine Lavin's Getting In Touch with My Inner Bitch. For the night she also welcomes some guest artists to her stage, sharing a duet with Ben Mingay and bringing cellist Clare Kahn to accompany a moving interpretation of Sade's Pearls.

Alcorn has a strength and clarity in her vocals and she has ensured that the works are adapted to showcase her voice whilst ensuring there is room for texture and expression. She connects with her audience and the music ensuring that this is not a night of just singing songs as she also provides a reason for each selection, providing her own personal connection to the work then presenting it in a way to elicit memories and feelings. Alcorn has a sultry seductive style mixed with a cheeky playfulness and handles the audience well, ensuring that whilst she encourages audience participation at points, the focus remains on her. She interacts well with her band. An important element in such an intimate performance, and she has opted to allow their personalities to come through in their styling and their expression.

Whilst this was a one off engagement at Slide Lounge, hopefully Miss Alcorn will bring CATHARTIC back for another season soon

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