Melbourne Reviews

Food, and in particular cake, has a special place at many of life's celebrations – christenings, birthdays, weddings. It features in nursery rhymes and is one of the ultimate comfort foods – what better than a generous serve of Mississippi Mud Cake when you're feeling really down. Whilst many of the world's top chefs are men, it is women and food who have the closest and most sensuous relationship - just look at such films as Like Water for Chocolate or Babette's Feast.

Ladykillers' Cake was developed over a two year period under the auspices of Vitalstatistix, Australia's only full-time women's theatre company. The work is a collaboration between writer/ performer Astrid Pill, director Ingrid Voorendt, performer/musician Zoe Barry and designer Gaelle Mellis; together they are the Ladykiller's. Cake was produced for the 2006 Adelaide Fringe Festival by Vitalstatistix and Astrid Pill earned the Adelaide Critics Circle Award for Innovation.

Cake is set around a kitchen table, amidst a host of cup cakes, the space covered with flour. The two performers, Astrid Pill and Zoe Barry, take their audience on a journey into the world of woman in some of her many moods: love, lust, despair and celebration.

The writing is strong and full of playful allusions, taking the conceit of cakes into new and surprising areas. Director Ingrid Voorendt has a background in dance which reveals itself in the wonderful physicality of the piece, especially when fantasy takes over from reality and Pill acts out her desire for her local Polish baker. Zoe Barry's musical prowess on xylophone, cello and squeeze box accordion covers every possible mood from light-hearted play, through celebration, to sorrow and loss and her physical performance beautifully compliments Pill.

Cake is full of tasty ingredients – great writing, strong physical performance and evocative music, not to mention the pungent aroma of cocoa. The final product is something to savour; a perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness, light and dark with a texture that is just right. A definite addition to your Fringe menu.

Cake is at The Tower Theatre at The Malthouse until 7 October.


Vitalstatistix
Cake

Venue: Tower Theatre, CUB Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street Southbank
Dates: 26 September - 7 October 2007
Times: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday to Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 5.30pm. Matinees: Saturday 29 September at 2.30pm and Thursday 4 October at 1pm
Tickets: $18 - $30
Bookings: 9685 5111/ www.malthousetheatre.com.au