Macabaret A Zoom Seance

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Fri 13 Nov 2020 - Sun 27 Dec 2020

Macabaret – A Zoom Seance



Just before the witching hour on Friday 27th November, I set myself up with a glass of red wine in front of my computer and prepared for the performance that was to commence. The invitation promised an ethereal experience of New York's weird and wonderful cabaret underbelly, not often seen outside of the Big Apple.

I can honestly tell you that they delivered.

Inspired by a 1920s fortune teller's shop in gritty New York, Madam Macabaret invites an unwitting guest to peer through Zoom into her mysterious crystal ball, to find out the answers to some of life's most intriguing questions. As the onlookers hid behind our own veil of computer screen glass, I watched, intrigued as Madam Macabaret brought forth a slew of spooky, strange, silly and downright sinister spirits over the course of the evening.



The directors behind this unique performance that is a part of the 2020 Melbourne Fringe , Butch Mermaid and Thinkery & Verse certainly chose the right performers for this online tale of seances, spirits, melancholy and comedy all combined. Reimagining theatre, a range of spirited entertainers graced my screen, providing compelling monologues of woe, operatic vocals, hypnotic dances and comedic acts that both confused and delighted me. This was a fine time, paired with a glass of wine, feeling as if I had been transported to a tiny bar in New York, watching the hilarity unfold on a dimly lit stage.

The audience was invited to take part in the show within a zoom chat channel, hosted by the ever sarcastic poltergeist named Peter. Each artist was introduced as they materialised on to the screen, creating an interesting interaction for the viewers. I attempted to try and outwit this wily emcee, throwing back sarcastic replies as fast as they came but the ghost never faltered in his responses.

Artists including songbird Emilie Versailles, actor Elena Urdaneta and performance artist Georgia Grant, were just a few of the unusual acts, featured in the photographs that I managed to take.

Digital performances are destined to be a part of the future, and my opinion is that it is an entertaining and memorable experience to be transported to the other side of the world and meet talented performers from the comfort of your couch.

The Melbourne Fringe, a popular festival occurring in late November, celebrates freedom of artistic expression and is a must if you want to see something out of the ordinary.

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!date 13/11/2020 -- 27/12/2020
%wnmelbourne