![]() ![]() It adds a great dynamic to the atmosphere and enhances the authenticity of the production and setting.īIJOU is one of the better shows I’ve seen in a long while. Not only for his piano skills (they’re incredible) but also for his stoic, exasperated expressions in response to Bijou’s perpetual sass. Between burlesque inspired striptease, foxtrots and heckling the pianist, Madame Bijou takes you on a private, intimate journey through the triumphs and turmoil of her dramatic life story.Ĭhrissie Shaw is phenomenal as she glides around the stage charismatically performing her role to perfection regardless of whether she is required to sing, monologue or completely internalize her character.Īlan Hicks as the accompanist and back-up singer is also remarkable. REVIEW CLIPS: BIJOU at THE DEPOT THEATRE SYDNEY AUGUST 2016īIJOU is a triumph a glorious and uplifting look into the underground artistic world of post-war Paris…you’ll find yourself transported to a Parisian cabaret fronted by the wonderfully cheeky Madame Bijou. You will be entertained, have your fortune told and, if you are lucky enough, maybe even get to help Madame Bijou slip into something a little more comfortable. This play is certainly worth the price of admission. Full priced tickets are $32, $26 for members, and the doors open at 7pm. ![]() It is a very entertaining play and I recommend you see it before the end of November when it closes.īijou – Secrets and Seduction is playing at The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place off Little Collins Street, from Wednesday 23rd November until Sunday 27th November. He adds a humorous dynamic to the pair with little moments such as reaching for his drink just as Madame Bijou demands another song be played or rolling his eyes as she tries to dazzle the audience with her questionable palm readings. ![]() Normally I cringe at audience participation yet I found myself enjoying the quirkiness of it and it worked quite well with the act.Īlan Hicks accompanies Chrissie Shaw on stage, and plays the role of the pianist in Bar du Papillon. She gets the gentleman next to me to undo the tops of her stockings while telling him to hurry up. One part that stands out the most is when Madame Bijou takes off her coat and is in a corset and goes around the audience getting them to undo the top straps of her corset. There are moments where she interacts with the audience, walking around and reading people’s palms with humorous one liners. The songs blend well with the performance, every note is nailed and the timing is perfect. Madame Bijou is a mysterious yet charming character. Outraged, she starts to recount tales from her life, highlighting the highs and (very) lows and ultimately forcing herself to self-reflect on her life and mistakes.Ĭhrissie Shaw provides a performance that is entertaining from the minute she barges on stage through the crowd to when she sings the final song. Madame Bijou, once Queen of the Demi-monde, delights the audience with humorous palm readings and singing for tips until she notices an unflattering photo of herself on the bar wall. The story is set in Paris 1933, in the Bar du Papillon. Each bit of jewellery Madame Bijou wears tells a short story of a period in her life where her heart is broken, where she has lived in a lavish castle and has seen first hand the reality of living in Paris during The Great War. We travel through various periods of Madame Bijou’s life and hear tales of love, seduction and sadness. ![]() It turns out the show has already begun.īijou – Secrets and Seduction is a one person show written and performed by Chrissie Shaw. She yells that the music is depressing and demands better music. After a few minutes an old woman shouting from the crowd interrupts the piano. After I grab a drink from the bar, the bell rings and I am led into another room where the lights are dim and someone is playing the piano beautifully. The interior lighting creates a warm relaxing glow that drapes over the rustic leather chairs creating a homey and inviting feel. I follow the stairs to the first floor and find myself inside one of the most cosy and comfortable clubs in Melbourne. Review by Dean Gerst: The Australia Times November 2016Īs I walk through a rundown alley way I arrive at a bright neon sign that reads ‘The Butterfly Club’. Bijou: a Cabaret of Secrets and Seduction.īIJOU AT THE BUTTERFLY CLUB, NOVEMBER 2016 ![]()
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