The French cabaret makes its way to the “Down Under”
Story & Photography by Terry Check
“It’s 5:00 somewhere” according to Jimmy Buffet, so it’s time for a little fun. Aussies and visitors alike enjoy libations, fine dining and entertainment along the way. In Sydney, the cabaret shows are popular offering an interesting twist to its French cousin and oftentimes, an evening at the Sydney Showboats, GPO Sydney or The Magician’s Cabaret is in order.
Sydney Showboats
Can 5 million patrons be wrong? During the past 27 years, Sydney Showboats has enchanted guests with a 3 hour cruise around Sydney’s famed harbor aboard a whimsical paddle wheeler, including a 3 course dinner rivaling the best harbor restaurants and a live cabaret show, currently “Vogue of Love”. Moulin Rouge-style show girls in their extravagant sequined costumes, talented singers/dancers, and the comic magician, “Mr. Showboat” entertain throughout the evening beginning with greeting guests at dockside to wishing them a farewell at departure.
The show is skillfully coordinated under the stewardship of Abby Robson, multitasking as entertainment director, dance captain, also performing as a singer and dancer. If you can sing or dance, Abby is always looking for new talent.
Shopping the farmer’s market in the early morning, the Executive Chef, Sunny Kim, and her staff choose the finest ingredients freshly prepared on board to create a memorable culinary experience. Oh yes, the complimentary beverages may be limited in choice, but the champagne, beer and wine are excellent.
GPO Sydney
The first question is, “What is GPO?” It means the General Post Office. The second question is, “What is at the post office after dark?” And the answer is Sydney’s most exclusive array of restaurants, bars and cabarets conveniently located under one roof. Built in 1866 the monumental landmark in downtown Sydney was sold to private investors in 1996 and then transformed into an entertainment complex second to none in Sydney. By the numbers, the GPO features 7 fine dining restaurants, 6 casual dining bistros, 3 cafes, 4 bars and 3 cabaret shows. Where does one start? For fine dining, Prime Grill Room, voted “Sydney’s Best Steak Restaurant” for the past 14 years, tops the list with its world famous Wagyu beef generally regarded as the highest grade and tastiest beef in the world. With a marbling score of 9+, the Wagyu selected for Prime is the highest scored Wagyu product available outside of Japan. The sommelier recommends, shares a brief history and pairs the finest wines available from more than 300 vintages in the private wine cellar.
For the romantic couple in love, the Chateaubriand, the signature dish at the restaurant, is a center cut of tenderloin, seared on the outside and rare on the inside, served with pommes boulangere, eschalot, bone marrow and sauce bordelaise. The Chateaubriand was first created in the 1800s for Francois Chateaubriand and his mistress Maddam Juliette Recaimer as a late evening treat followed by passionate love making. Considered the most beautiful woman in France, Maddam Recaimer, wooed by many including Napoleon, always returned to Francois for her evening delight.
After fine dining and wine pairing, nothing is better than a little entertainment, and the GPO has much to offer, 3 cabaret shows, all different and themed to delight everyone. From Spice’s “Vaudeville” to PIMP’s “Male Esque” to Crystal Boudoir Cabaret and Burlesque show, it’s a tough decision, but let’s check out the Crystal Boudoir. Close your eyes and step back in time to a 1920’s Parisian night club. Choreographed by Michael Boyd, glamorous dancers, wearing elaborate costumes, enchant patrons with sensual moves accentuated by Paul Chenard’s live saxophone music and dramatic lighting. On occasion the Crystal Boudoir presents celebrity performers like, Dita Von Teese, Queen of Burlesque.
The Magician’s Cabaret
Located at Paddington near downtown Sydney, the Magician’s Cabaret, created by James Karp, does not have a harbor view nor Wagyu beef on the menu, but an evening at the Magician’s Cabaret is simply amazing, unpredictable and enchanting …. certainly a “bucket list” item when in Sydney. With an old world atmosphere, this intimate cabaret theater restaurant brings together Las Vegas magic, Paris cabaret and New York dining. As you enter the venue, the hallway is filled with magic paraphernalia leading to a 1900’s wooden box office. Attentive staff members, dressed in top hats and tails, usher guests to candlelit tables and cordially offer bar service. A roving magician performs card tricks at each table until everyone, maybe 120 guests, are seated and delicious appetizers are served. As the house lights dim and the stage curtain opens, a masked magician appears out of the smoke and with a wave of his cape La Fortuna, played by Simone Karp, instantly appears. Wearing a gold top hat and covered in diamantes the sassy cabaret performer sings “Take Your Chance and Follow Me” as dancers interpret the song of fortune and hope. The audience escapes with her on this magical journey.
Presented in seven acts of storytelling, magic, dance and song, the show, “La Fortuna”, explores the reality of adulthood … everyday life, and returns everyone to a childlike innocence where anything is possible with the miracles that magic creates.
Along with magic on the stage, the fine dining experience is magical as well with an artistic appetizer of marinated grilled eggplant, feta cheese, and roasted asparagus with yogurt remoulade followed by an entrée of palace court shrimp salad. The main course features French Coq Au Vin completed with a dessert of parched cream and meringue soufflé. Each delightful course is served between the performing acts with plenty of time for another glass of wine.
Three cheers to the acclaimed magician, James Karp, for writing and producing such a wonderful show together with his lovely and talented wife, Simone. The show was choreographed by renowned James Taylor, formerly of the Royal Ballet of London; and the music arranged by Ian of Atlas Works. In addition to James and Simone, the magicians featured include Max Rendall and Jackson Ace. Many thanks to gorgeous Karina Bujnowicz formerly of the Moulin Rouge, and the entire entourage of dancers for bringing the story of La Fortuna to life.
When in Sydney after dark, the dining and entertainment choices are many, but these three choices stand out as the best in town. Special thanks to Sydney Showboats, GPO Sydney and Terry Check for the photography.
Story & Photography by Terry Check
