Short and Sweet Cabaret

Reviewed by Heidi Lockwood
Nestled in the urban suburb of Newtown is the new theatre which, for 2 weeks (week 1 from January 8th 11th and week 2 from January 15th to 19th), is playing host to the Short and Sweet Cabaret: a series of over 40 different eccentric 10 minute theatrical productions.

Music, reminiscent of moulin rouge, played whilst the theatre filled with well dressed couples sipping on champagne, arty 20-somethings drinking bottled beer and groups of women clinking their wine glasses whilst nattering about the week's events. The mix of age groups and social classes made for a refreshingly diverse audience; proving that this production can appeal to anyone. The new theatre was a hive of activity even before the performance had begun, and then, show time.

Acts such as 'Harldy the Portrait of a Lady' performed by Cienda McNamara, 'My Jesus Year' by Alison Eaton and 'Harry and Liz' by Charlotte and Evan Kerr all exuded the former adjectives. Whether humorously bitching about Nicole Kidman, ingeniously projecting an honest representation of the life of a 33 year old women, or charming the audience with their sweet brother-sister all-singing all-dancing act, each of these performances shone for their incredible voices, comedic presence and believable onstage personas.

Other performances, such as 'Wags' and 'A Date with Dali', however lacked this polished professionalism. While the prose of the Wags' poetry was cleverly constructed and relevant to modern culture, their singing abilities appeared mediocre in comparison to the powerful voices of others including Narelle Yeo and Maryann Wright.

A Date with Dali was a peculiar (and oddly sexual) modern interpretation of a clown, and while not to everyone taste, was certainly not boring!

Short and Sweet cabaret is a fun, modern and free-spirited production, featuring some extremely talented people whose love of performing and admiration of the stage is conveyed from beginning to end. Those who want to experience an abnormal yet exciting cabaret, and merely want to be entertained for an evening, should most certainly book tickets now for Short and Sweet's second week of production.