A heart-warming tribute and ode to family

By Sebastian Purcell

Bringing this one woman, all encompassing, cabaret to life is no mean feat. Seasoned performer Susan-ann Walker (Once, Funny Girl, Cabaret, The Secret Garden, Confessions of a Sex Kitten) transforms into more than 10 characters – or family members – singing a variety of styles and playing the piano, ukulele and accordion, and doing it all with extraordinary humour, and most importantly, authenticity. This show celebrates those eccentric, crackerjack, kooky and courageous people who proudly march to the beat of their own drum. 

Susan-ann  provides a lesson in character acting; one of the standout performances is that of an opera diva, ironically giving the audience a lesson in performing ‘My Sharona’. The performance easily draws comparison, and perhaps inspiration, from that of Glinda and Carlotta from Wicked and Phantom of the Opera respectively. While Joy, the music teacher, with her calming voice and presence, is reminiscent of Adele’s ‘Jenny’ on the Graham Norton Show and provides a bundle of laughs.

Mamooshka, a Czech cabaret artist and vodka ambassador, provides all the laughs as she (begrudgingly) entertains with well-known modern hits, and to top it off provides an encore you never knew you needed – a brand new interpretation of Queen … on the accordion no less.

But the heart and soul this show is Susan-Ann telling her story through Radio Heads’ Creep as a love letter to her 15-year-old crush, and the fondness of retelling these childhood memories, that makes this a unique, human and fantastic piece of cabaret.

The use of multimedia throughout the show serves to present additional characters and allow for the wonderful character transformations – the costumes add an extra feather in this shows cap.

It’s not for the faint hearted, the characters have their choice language, though if you’re up for a laugh then this is the show to kick back and not only immerse yourself in Susan-ann’s story, but a chance to reflect on your own family and childhood too. Directed by Theresa Borg, the creative and tech team, produce an all round polished performance.

Not Quite Right is laugh out loud, tears rolling down your face funny show, that has a big heart at the centre of it.

For more shows at The MC Showroom ( 1/48 Clifton St, Prahran) visit http://www.themcshowroom.com

Photography courtesy of Angel Leggas