Princess Cabaret

In a small, sold-out venue, a beautiful fairy sits at the piano and six women dressed in black seductively shimmy across the stage. Think this is going to be a serious cabaret act? Think again. The show is a hilarious, smart and original critique of feminism and the roles women play in society and in relationships. The six princesses start off singing about all the women who have made their powerful, albeit controversial mark in history: Eve, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth I, and Madame Curie. Strong, brilliant, and yet each faced an untimely end for attempting stereotypically male roles. Better to be a Disney Princess, no? Think again.

Taking the fairy tale characters beyond the happily after, Tinkerbell (played by the awesomely brilliant and classically trained Sophie Miller) narrates the humorous tales of Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White. Featuring quick full costumes changes and great musical scores, the ridiculously funny sketches draw criticism on the unrealistic portrayal of female Disney characters in a darkly modern way. Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell are in a pathetic love triangle, with Tinkerbell as Peter’s doormat, Cinderella remains a maid even after finding her prince, Snow White goes deranged in the forest and Aurora wakes up from her extended sleep a racist and provincially backwards! 

The humour is slightly crass and adult (this is definitely not for children), and the all female cast play a multiple of roles, switching from princesses, to teacups to men at a drop of a hat. A particular highlight was the Twilight spoof, which, while unoriginal in subject, was entirely fitting with the overall content of the show.  This is wonderfully witty and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tali Deeb 19/08/2010

Princess Cabaret
Gilded Balloon
17:30 August 19th-30th