Brilliant vocals and instruments, a wide range of music, the delightful Paris Combo has something for everyone
Presented by: Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Reviewed: 9 June 2023
If you want to set the tone for your Cabaret Fest schedule to classy, cool, quirky and utterly damn good, start with Paris Combo.
The band have been together for over 25 years and, sadly, lead singer songwriter, their charismatic chanteuse Belle du Berry passed away suddenly in 2020. This show is a celebration of her 30-year career during which she wrote over 100 songs. Members of the original group, plus four extraordinary guest vocalists, performed a selection of her work covering genres as diverse as swinging gypsy-jazz, cabaret, French pop and Brazilian world rhythms.
While an actual cabaret club, dimly lit and dance floor packed, would have been the ideal venue for this show, the intimacy of the Dunstan Playhouse worked well, evoking the smoky sensuality of the Festival. Featuring violins, piano, drums, guitar, bass and even a trumpet played under water, the group was professional, tight and the visuals of all this up close were spectacular. Guest vocalists Carmen Maria Vega, Billie, Aurore Voilqué and Mano Razanjato all brought something distinctive and exceptional. Vega in particular deserves accolades for not allowing a foot in a moon boot to inhibit her dancing. Billie, gorgeous in a green jumpsuit, confessed that her teenaged self had adored Belle du Berry and she’d had the privilege of befriending her mentor. Razanjato was a member of the original band for 10 years and was excited for the reunion. And Voilque was a master violinist in incredible zebra patterned platforms.
While the show is sung in French, pianist, trumpeter and emcee, David Lewis, interpreted the themes of each song at commencement. All members of the Combo spoke English and added their individual take on the songs, du Berry and their love of her music. As someone who does not speak fluent French, I can advise it’s unnecessary to enjoy this fabulous show. The sheer range of genres from sad and sweet, to poppy and even rap, was brilliant entertainment.
Reviewed by Samantha Bond
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella
Venue: The Dunstan Playhouse
Season: 9-11 June 2023
Duration: 90 mins
Tickets: $84-89
Bookings: https://cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/paris-combo
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