Baby Bi Bi Bi

Baby Bi Bi Bi
Created & performed by Erin Pattison, Samantha Andrew & Annabel Larcombe. A Flesh Coloured Panties Production. Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Chapel off Chapel, Prahran, VIC. 30 June & 1 July (only) 2018

The ‘Bi’, in case you’re wondering, means bi-sexual. That is what this show is about.  It’s explicit, graphic (verbally anyway) and not afraid to send itself up.  It’s a show delivered with such panache, such humour, charm and polish by three very talented women that it overcomes any resistance that might still be out there (in fact, that is its serious purpose), is hugely enjoyable and my audience – gay or straight – had a thoroughly good time.

It is hard to believe that Erin Pattison (who also produces), Samantha Andrew (who is also the composer of the witty and/or sad songs) and Annabel Larcombe (an inspired clown) are scarcely out of the VCA – and yet what we see is three performers who look as if they’ve been doing this for many years.  No director per se is credited, but this is the best directed cabaret I’ve seen in a long time – and the best written.

Their material – with clever variation of style and tone and alternating songs and brief comedy sketches – ranges across realisation (‘Ohmygod – am I gay?’), coming out, how to be gay, explaining to others that, yes, one does play for both teams – or being rejected and misunderstood by both teams – to some sharp satire on ‘straight’ men, to falling in love with the wrong person, and all the heartaches that love brings to, well, anyone.  Ms Andrew’s often dirty songs do most the work here - and not only are the songs smart, they are sung by performers who can sing, and they can articulate – so that we appreciate not just the ‘message’, but how clever Ms Andrew is – and not just as a musician.  She does a good boofhead bloke too.

Ms Pattison, though completely at home with the comedy, is the more ‘serious’ of the three, and in the second half delivers a haunting ballad (which should be a big hit somewhere) that creates a stillness and a lump in the throat.  Meanwhile, Ms Larcombe, with her huge ‘please like me’ smile, is into more physical comedy and, endearingly ‘clumsy’, fumbles around with some ‘interpretive dance’ and equally silly acrobatics. 

The set consists of a keyboard, three microphones and a single, big, elaborate flat, which has a door in it and is totally covered with embroideries and sort of mini Claes Olenburg creations of intimate body parts, brilliantly designed by Brynna Lowen – yet another product of the VCA.

The message is, in the end, you can’t help whom you love – and the show, for all its laughs, is a plea for understanding.  Yep, some people are ‘bi’: get over it.  It’s a shame there are only two performances and, if you’re in Melbourne, by the time you read this, the show’s over.  But I will be very surprised if it doesn’t reappear somewhere else very soon.

Michael Brindley

 

Photographer: Jack Dixon-Gunn

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