The Inside Scoop on Short + Sweet

Melbourne’s shortest cabaret festival returns to Chapel Off Chapel this year under the Artistic Direction of Emma Clair Ford.  Following the success of the 2010 season, Emma is back for another year, featuring over twenty brand new, innovative ten minute acts from Australia’s freshest cabaret talent.

Vaudeville, Burlesque, Comedy, Storytelling, Cabaret Noir – whatever your inclination, Short + Sweet Cabaret is bound to present something you have never seen before. We chat to Emma and Geraldine Quinn, 2009 winner of Short + Sweet Cabaret about the festival and their respective journeys within it.

Talking to Ford, you quickly become aware of her passion for theatre and especially the medium of cabaret. A performer herself, she relates to those on stage, having enjoyed every kind of on-stage mishap including breaking a rib!

“I've had wardrobe malfunctions leading to accidental nudity, a curtain catching on fire, inappropriate giggling fits, vomiting, and being heckled by audience members! All these things added to the spontaneity and joy of live performance.” 

Emma has been involved in many productions, but her favorites have included The Journey Girl, a one woman show written and directed by Anthony Crowley (co-incidentally, Festival Director for Short + Sweet Theatre) Also, The Candy Topps - Sing Happy! - Directed by Alister Smith (also the Short + Sweet Dance Festival Director!)

Her fondest memories, perhaps though, are reserved for the show she created herself, Lila Gray. “Lila very quickly became part of my soul. I've been performing the show for over a year now, and it brings me endless happiness”.

Emma is very passionate about the festival and what they offer to artists and audiences alike.  The performers selected as part of the festival, are able to create and present their work, without the financial stress of producing the act themselves.  The Festival provides the theatre, the tech team, the promotional material, the support, and the artists bring their time, talent and great ideas. With lots of established industry professionals attending the shows, the opportunities are endless for networking and future work proposals.

Initially as a participant, Geraldine Quinn was attracted to the festival by “an insatiable lust for power and a preponderance for wearing lycra far too much onstage” Whatever her reason though, it seemed to work for her, going on to win the 2009 season. 

Like Emma, (and like most performers), Geraldine has her fair share of on stage mishaps, “I've tripped over a speaker and landed on a floor light (still have the scar), kicked another speaker offstage, knocked over countless mike stands with my guitar, had a skirt come sliding off two songs before it was supposed to and  forgotten to zip up a leotard. As long as it's funny and I and the audience survive, any mishap is OK.”

So, if you are one of the lucky ones about to jump into a performance of short and sweet, rest assured nothing can go wrong that hasn’t gone wrong already for another performer. Just make sure you take your time with hair and make-up. And perhaps check out Geraldine’s new show The Last Gig in Melbourne for a spot of research! 

Short + Sweet Cabaret runs from 27 October to 6 November at Chapel off Chapel.