Meow Meow@Spiegeltent Perth3/2/2012

Mon 6th Feb, 2012 in Gig Reviews

“This is fucked!” the first words to exit her fine lips after she realised her audience did not come prepared to shower her in flowers upon her amazing introduction by her talented pianist. A long black dress draped over a curvy bust, wild curly hair sprayed to hold in position of a feline afro, silver sparkling eye shadow and a booming broadway voice, diva has balls and she isn’t afraid to show ‘em! Forcing red roses into the hands of the first couple of rows of people, Meow Meow demands the people throw them at her, yelling “gently” and “not at my face” she slips into a sweet tune “yes yes its French” smiling with her perfect white teeth, as if her behavior was totally understandable. Three minutes of the hour has passed. This show was going to be brilliant! and everybody in the room knew it!

Its not surprising audience members were excited to be a part of this sold out show, hearing great reviews from around the world including London Times and Time Out New York, pressure was on from the chattering high expectations circulating the Spiegeltent. Boy did she deliver! Stripped from her dress because “ the producers only hired it for the introduction”, bringing her own “atmosphere” in the form of a small portable smoke machine, pulling audience members on stage to caress her whilst all the while singing songs “I was forced to write myself!”, the moments of this performance flew too quickly by. As laughter and eager crowd participation filled the room, you could tell this show was never at risk of disappointment. Meow Meow knew all too well how to please her Perth crowd.

What is cabaret without sparkling red dresses, extravagant hair and make up, French songs about “no cures for le amore” and handsomely suited drummer and pianist? Meow Meow delivered all this with outrageous humour, which included digs at herself “I’m in a tent! on top of a car park!”, a song she sang on a portable revolving stage, which only revolved at the will of a hard working staff member, and a more modern aspect of crowd surfing. Of course however in her place she sent out a blow up doll dressed much the same as herself.

As she barked orders at the lighting staff and forced her band members to strip off so she didn’t have to “pay for dry cleaning”, her performances, mostly sung impressively well in French, English and even German, delivered a cabaret that isn’t seen much in this city, and the interaction with her punters showed her love for preforming them. This gave her that extra little spark. After a enthusiastic call for an encore, to which she happily complied, she dramatically exited through the front of house, red wine in hand and set up outside to meet her audience members. A truly memorable show.