Details

A musical theatre piece set against the colourful backdrop of fin-de-siecle Paris, drawing inspiration from the showgirlss of the music halls, whilst exploring the ever shifting landscape of gender and sexuality. The showgirl became the icon of turn of the century Paris, immortalised in the paintings of Toulouse, Degas and Manet, with writers Zola and Cocteau amongst those intoxicating by the musical hall's charms. At a time of feminist change, the image of the showgirl - display, deception irreverence and the unashamed celebration of sexual power (and its material rewards) - offered an alternative strategy for emancipation which did not sacrifice femininity to equality. The new breed of overtly sexual women emerging in popular entertainment challenged strong notions of public decency. The Folie Bergeres was constantly being targeted by moral reformers - come and find out why...

Cast/Performers

Peggy Shaw, Lois Weaver

Creatives/Company

Author(s): Peggy Shaw, Lois Weaver
Company: Split Britches (in association with [Clod Ensemble])
Director(s): Suzy Willson, Paul Clark (music)