Torte e Mort: Songs Of Cake And Death at Royal Croquet Club – Adelaide Fringe Review

Royal Croquet Club – Ukiyo, Sat Feb 13 As the lights dim, the audience is blasted by a none-too-subtle smoke machine that thankfully dissipates quickly as two figures take the now sparsely illuminated stage; one drumming, the other – just standing there, really. A banging on the venue door heralds the entrance of Anya Anastasia, a.k.a. Marie Antoinette, as she sweeps herself through the audience, a vision of 18th century French couture (think corsetry, wig and farthingale). Meanwhile, percussionist Bec Matthews turns into executioner as Antoinette takes to the keyboard onstage and regales the crowd with a chirpy little ditty lamenting the loss of her head. And so the evening goes as Anastasia belts out a variety of numbers showcasing her vocal and comedic talents in equal measure. She manages a burlesque-style strip while keeping one hand on the keyboard at all times, to the great amusement­­ of an audience clearly out to enjoy themselves. Anastasia is a decadent delight, her energetic onstage antics cheeky and sexy – despite assuring everyone “I don’t do burlesque”.  Matthews was fabulously droll while providing amusing sound effects throughout and Joy Sparkes’ lady-in-waiting was unobtrusively ‘there’ fetching and fitting throughout the performance. Torte e Mort is an irreverent, high energy, cheesy romp through Marie Antoinette’s final moments and beyond – if you’re up for a bit of death served as dessert, this show delivers both in good measure. Rosie van Heerde Torte e Mort: Songs Of Cake And Death continues at Royal Croquet Club – Ukiyo from 8pm until Sun Feb 21. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 261 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.