Melbourne Reviews

Photos - Ponch Hawkes

Michael Dalley is fast becoming the “King of Melbourne Cabaret” and the return season of Intimate Apparel cements his reputation. Making a splash as part of a trio in the fabulous Vaudeville X, Intimate Apparel debuted at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2007 and Dalley has since gone on to star, solo, in Death in White Linen earlier this year. In a city where self-devised cabaret is not in short supply, it takes a lot of talent to stand out from the masses (perhaps the caberati), and Dalley continues to do this with every show.

In Intimate Apparel, Dalley (wearing his perennial two hats as writer and performer) and Paul McCarthy take us on a hilarious journey through the many facets of performance (or lack of), whether it is a ballerina’s neuroses or a footballer’s motivation for another career asking the inevitable question, “Will you still love me despite my lack of spatial awareness?”.

Moving into a space that can only be described as a white box, we are invited to stand on the stage as the pair (dressed in blue jumpsuits with gas masks and both called Kevin) survey the audience, immediately giving us a familiarity and empathy with the performers. Dalley’s talent as a lyricist is apparent as his songs manage to be enjoyable for those unfamiliar with the state of the arts but also provide in-jokes for those who have a greater knowledge of performance. Dalley is on par as a writer and perfomer with Eddie Perfect and Tim Minchin, each song managing to be witty and catchy at the same time (“How do you engage the paying public/ When you can’t engage the lover in your bed?”). McCarthy is just as game as Dalley and both performers completely commit to each song, movement and interpretive dance. Ably supported by Will Poskitt on piano, Intimate Apparel reveals how entertaining and engaging a show can be when content and performance gel.

Want an intimate night with great art? See this show.



High Performance Company presents the return by popular demand of
Intimate Apparel
A cabaret by Michael Dalley

Venue: Dante’s Gallery, Dante’s, Cnr Gertrude & Napier Sts Fitzroy
Dates: 25 July – 10 August, 2008
Times: Thurs – Sun @ 8pm
Tickets: $20/$15 Conc.
Bookings: 9510 3921