FESTIVAL MUSIC | Previews
Five reasons to see
TORTE E MORT: SONGS OF CAKE AND DEATH
1 There’s a devil of a central performance from rising cabaret performer Anya Anastasia, who made her name fronting the Bird Wizdom Cabaret in her native Adelaide before moving to Melbourne last year. Here she takes on a handful of roles – Grim Reaper, she-devil and most notably ‘the queen of decadence and dei cit’ Marie Antoinette, who is portrayed in full, opulent 18th-century costume and towering powdered wig, ‘but heaps more Australian’.
2 It’s a cautionary comedy song cycle. The terminally unpopular French queen, who infamously (and possibly erroneously) quipped ‘let them eat cake’ when told that her subjects had no bread, is depicted on the day of her execution, receiving visitations from the afterlife in ‘a story of excess, hedonism and potential earthly consequences’. Shouldn’t that be deathly?
3 There’s satire and striptease. And a ton of French puns as Anastasia / Antoinette pontii cates at the piano on a range of subjects – the corrupting inl uence of power, body image, greed, celebrities behaving badly and that death comes to us all – before casting off her many layers in a bravura burlesque display while keeping a hand on the piano keyboard at all times. You don’t get that from Tim Minchin. 4 She bangs the drums. Or rather, Anastasia’s versatile sidekick percussionist Bec Matthews does. Matthews is another capable multi-tasker who can turn her hand to singing saw, kazoo, shadow puppetry and chopping heads off as required.
5 Because who doesn’t like cake? Although it’s a touchy topic for Marie Antoinette’s subjugated subjects. (Fiona Shepherd) ■ Assembly George Square Theatre, 623 3030, 6–29 Aug (not 15), 6pm, £10–£12 (£11). Previews 4 & 5 Aug, £6.
78 THE LIST FESTIVAL 4–11 Aug 2016
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KARMANA, SONGS OF THE ROMA Simon Thacker joins Justyna Jablonska and Masha Natanson for a celebration of Roma music
Lauded for his collaborative and cross-cultural work with different musical traditions, virtuoso classical guitarist Simon Thacker’s latest venture is the one with most magic and mystery surrounding it. ‘Performing anything by means of magic’ is how Karmana translates into English and the show is subtitled ‘Along the Mystic Road’. In a vivid re-imagining of music and song from the gypsy tradition, Thacker and cellist Justyna Jablonska are joined by one of the finest traditional Roma singers around, Masha Natanson, to present music that is as new as it is ancient in its origins.
‘Gypsy music is something that I’ve been interested in all my life,’ says Thacker, adding that it has roots in Rajasthan, so, in a way, also links to his previous collaboration with Indian musicians. ‘It took months of exploration and searching to find Masha,’ he says, ‘and she is one of Europe’s best exponents of the Roma tradition, whether from the Balkans, Romania or further afield. Although she’s not a full-blooded gypsy it is very much part of her ancestry. When she was young, she even ran away from home to live with gypsies. She really has a great story behind her and has been passionate about this music from an early age.’
Natanson’s wide repertoire crosses several languages, reflecting the way that the Roma tradition crosses national borders. The deep connection that Thacker also feels about the music comes through in his ‘Karmana Suite’, which he describes as joyous, immediate and spiritual. In common with his previous two Fringe cross-collaborations, this year’s is part of the Made in Scotland showcase.
‘It’s totally crucial,’ he says, ‘as it gives backing and exposure so that international promoters can
see our work. We’re already touring to Poland, so watch this space.’ (Carol Main) ■ Summerhall, 560 1581, 12–20 Aug, 9.15pm, £10 (£8).
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA Punchy ska from festival-headlining Aussie group
Blaring out amid the Fringe’s morass of comedy, cabaret and theatre acts like a trumpet in the night, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra are set to bring their unique take on ska to the Gilded Balloon for six nights only.
Blending classic ska influences with elements from musical cultures the world over, the orchestra promise first-rate musicianship and a little unpredictability. ‘Every gig is different – we quite like it when things don’t go to plan and have to take another path,’ says bandleader Nicky Bomba.
The orchestra formed back in 2003 to celebrate the 1960s birth of ska. The band quickly accumulated
members and acclaim, winning them headlining festival appearances Down Under and award nominations for their self-titled debut album. Now, they visit Edinburgh for the first time as part of their international tour in support of their second album, Sierra-Kilo-Alpha.
‘I’m pretty proud of where we are with this album,’ says Bomba. ‘There’s a presence and punchiness to it that makes us smile. It’s almost like a film playing out, lots of drama, highs and lows, twists and turns.’ (Sam Bradley) ■ Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 8–12 Aug, 6pm, £12 (£11). Preview 7 Aug, £5.