⭐️⭐️ and a half
Le Faux-French Cabaret – A Parisian Fantasy That Didn’t Quite Land
Le Faux-French Cabaret promises a tongue-in-cheek Parisian escape – glamour, vocals, burlesque, baguettes and all. Set inside the intimate Ambassador Bar, the setting is undeniably perfect for cabaret. The cocktails are flowing, the lighting is low, and the expectation is that you’ll be transported somewhere between Montmartre and Moulin Rouge.
Unfortunately, the performances struggled to deliver on that promise.
The show opened with the lead performer singing to a backing track while standing beside a piano that remained untouched. Later in the evening, it became clear that one of the ensemble members was an accomplished pianist, which made the earlier decision even more puzzling. It immediately gave the performance a slightly thin feeling – especially in a genre like cabaret, where live musicianship adds so much atmosphere and authenticity.
The framing also felt confused. While the show celebrates Parisian style and romance, it opened with repeated jabs at Paris itself. The irony may have been intentional, but it landed oddly in a room presumably filled with francophiles ready to indulge in French fantasy. Rather than playful satire, it felt disjointed.
Timing didn’t help. The show began around ten minutes late and then, surprisingly, paused for an intermission just twenty minutes in. For what is effectively a one-hour performance, this break felt unnecessary and disruptive. Just as the audience began settling into the rhythm of the evening, momentum was lost.
Vocally, there were flashes of genuine talent. When performers sang live, it was clear there was strength and ability in the cast. That made the more obviously lip-synced numbers feel even more confusing. Cabaret thrives on intimacy and immediacy – the sense that what’s happening is live, raw and shared. Pre-recorded tracks diminished that energy.
Song choices were another curious element. A French-themed cabaret naturally brings to mind classics – Piaf, Aznavour, Gainsbourg – yet at one point the audience was treated to “No Diggity.” The tonal shift was abrupt and never fully justified within the show’s loose storyline. The narrative thread itself felt underdeveloped, seemingly introduced properly only just before the unnecessary intermission, then rushed to completion. The show would have been more cohesive without the underdeveloped storyline, which ultimately diluted the stronger performance elements.
Audience participation also crossed into uncomfortable territory. At one stage, performers physically pulled and repeatedly urged patrons to join in, and not everyone appeared willing. Fringe audiences often enjoy playful interaction, but this felt less organic and more pressured.
That said, there were highlights. The costumes were exquisite – elaborate, beautifully made and visually striking. The choreography had moments of polish, and the aesthetic ambition was clear. When the ensemble leaned into spectacle rather than storyline, the show felt far more cohesive.
Le Faux-French Cabaret has all the ingredients for a decadent evening – talent, glamour, and a venue perfectly suited to the genre. With tighter musical direction, clearer tonal commitment, and greater trust in its performers’ live ability, it could become the seductive Parisian escape it promises.