Those who have been following us on social media recently will be aware that we have been appearing at talent show judging panels all around the scene. It was at a recent stint on the Del Fflur productions’ talent completion Dels Derby where I could finally chat to (and judge alongside) the icon that is Foo Foo Labelle. Having seen Foo Foo on stage a collection of times (including during the first xxxmas at the Wales Millenium Centre which you can read about at https://getthechance.wales/2023/12/23/review-the-first-xxxmas-by-rhys-payne/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20First%20XXXmas%20had,politically%20powerful%20and%20entertaining%20production.) we were aware of the glamour and elegance she showcase every-time they take to the stage.
The brand new Showgirls and Sharks is a brand new theatrical experience from the minds of Foo Foo and her team which explores her journey into becoming a staple in the burlesque scene. During her debut theatrical experience, Foo Foo peels back the glitz and glamour of her burlesque persona in an extremely raw way. Throughout Show Girls and Sharks she (alongside the insanely talented Jenna Dyckhoff) highlights the plethora of difficult jobs, backstage politics, life alteration disasters and the inner workings of any artist’s mind in an almost exposé style of how she became one of Cardiff’s biggest cabaret stars. As the lead in the production, Foo takes the audience through the years of hard work and dedication that led to her solidifying her place as one of the burlesque greats. She shares personal stories of all the moments and jobs she had in the build-up to her career many of which were the almost opposite of the ideas of elegance and glamour previously mentioned. One of the more poignant moments in the show saw Foo Foo talk about her experience in the circus and uses a clever metaphor to show what the conditions were really like. I have to admit I was initially confused by the inclusion of sharks in the show’s title but Foo explains this by stating that during her time in the circus, the most dangerous sharks are not those in the tanks but instead the people backstage running the show. Providing this behind-the-scenes look at building a burlesque star, Foo is able to not only provide a highly entertaining evening of entertainment but also warn those looking to get into the industry of potential dynamics they may have to navigate which can only benefit the community as a whole.
The show was opened by the wonderful Jenna who managed to get the audience instantly immersed as they introduced the idea of building a burlesque icon. We are then introduced to a rather weary Foo Foo in a gorgeous headpiece and dance costume who delivers a hilarious number demonstrating the glamorous nature of burlesque while simultaneously exploring the aches and pains an artist must endure. This sequence included an incredible splits as ‘Steph’ the actor behind the burlesque character is beyond the point of exhaustion and gives up. Luckily, however , she is sharing the stage with her longtime friend Jenna who manages to get the actor literally back on her feet re-donning the burlesque mask. I thought that this section of the show was brilliant not only for the fact that it showcases a very real experience all performance will go throughout but also because Jenna and Foo delivered a hilarious routine with the former utilising her burlesque-based talents and the latter struggling to pick up the choreography which was absolutely brilliant to watch! One of the most impressive things about this show is the fact that it is simply two performers taking the audience on an international tour of the jobs Foo had taken on over the years. Foo herself is able to showcase her talents in not only acting (as she brings some of the jobs to life live on stage) but also demonstrates her talents in tap dancing, belly dancing, burlesque (as is expected from a Foo show), singing and even the art form of mining. It is not just Foo who is able to showcase her wide array of talents but her partner is also given the opportunity to show what they do best. Throughout the show, Jenna underscores the showbiz stories with piano-based accompaniments, plus the flute live, joins in with Foo with her singing/dancing but also be apart of the stories with an array of costume changes. Doing a two person production is intense at the best of time but when you consider the varied art forms the team have implemented it truly shows how truly talented both performers are!
If you have ever been lucky enough to experience a night out with myself you will know there is one song in particular that makes me absolutely lose all inhibitions. I have been known to lead an impromptu dance class inside the club whenever I hear the iconic “Saturday Night” by Wigfield so hearing this song (including the iconic dance associated with this song) within Showgirls and Sharks instantly gained the show bonus points from myself. Instead of the usual yet repetitive lyrics of the original song Dyckhoff and Gawne had decided to alter the lyrics to explore the idea of the partying lifestyle and how her glamorous lifestyle quickly turned into never-ending nights of partying. The closing moments of the show however was my personal highlight as the dynamic duo performed a rendition of the always iconic “cell block tango” from Chicago where they had re-written the lyrics to encapsulate the six steps of building a burlesque icon established throughout both the show and Foo’s experiences. This was solidified with a fosse-style routine and the classic chair trope to really amplify the musical theatre connection. I personally thought that this number was the perfect way to close the show as it not only tied off all the showbiz stories, the narrative of the show itself and Foo’s aforementioned love of Liza Minnelli (who famously popularised the role of Roxie Hart on Broadway) and so this provided the perfect end to the show.
Overall, showgirls and Sharks is a hilarious look at the journey of Foo Foo Labelle becoming one of the biggest names in the Cardiff cabaret scenes. Dyckhoff and Gawne have provided a unique yet real look at the trials and tribulations of establishing yourself in the industry which can only have a positive effect on those who are looking to get into the scene. The two-person cast really flexes their creative talents with a wide plethora of special talents to create a highly entertaining and truly exciting performance. I would rate this performance 4.5 stars and if this is what the show is like during its infant stages I cannot wait to see what it will inevitably grow into in the future!
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