Lady Rizo Is The Unescorted And Shamelessly Feisty Cabaret Chanteuse – Adelaide Cabaret Festival Review

Space Theatre, Wed 17 Jun It’s rare when a performance can literally knock your socks off. It is difficult to articulate exactly what component of the show could be the favourite in this instance, such was the talent bandied about onstage. Armed with a sensational band – including locals – and directed by lead guitarist Yair Evnine, New York’s Lady Rizo brings a little bit of everything the room needed in the fabulous theatre. Astonishing vocals, covering a variety of songs including Song Of Freedom, Cole Porters’ Love For Sale and a splash of her own lyrics and compositions, are the main focus of the show, but heavily peppered in between is a hysterical satirical look at the world, and a celebration of her newly pregnant belly. Working her baby belly into her routine works well, as she celebrates life in many other ways - acknowledging those less fortunate, asking us to enjoy the opportunity to sing together as a room in a chorus, and opening the eyes of those who may not enjoy ‘being present’ as perhaps often as they should. Asking a kind punter to bend over while she clamours onto a piano for a token ‘laying on the piano’ song, and generously dousing the front rows of the audience in glitter (we are, after all, part of the Church of Glitter), Rizo’s voice soars beyond all comprehension showcasing what a lifetime of professional singing from someone who clearly loves it so much can sound like. Shamelessly feisty in her delivery of stories of life in NY, and entertaining us with a clever silhouette dressing room with a new found friend from the audience while she changes her clothes, has us in stitches. And, for her part, audience member Frankie does a great job. Glove swallowing, fake nipple licking and her extraordinarily candid and very, very funny tales are but some of what you will experience. But you will leave, not only loving her and her humour, but really seeing her beautiful empathy for the world. And, oh - that voice; it’s really something else. Sian Williams Lady Rizo performs Unescorted at Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, at various times until Fri 19 Jun. Book at BASS on 131 246 an bass.net.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.