Anya Anastasia Interview – TORTE E MORT: Songs of Cake and Death
Welcome Anya… so how would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Wearing a tux, fake nose and a moustache, I’d say: “It is my great pleasure to introduce to you Australia’s darling of dark cabaret. Dazzling, seductive, witty, incisive, terrifyingly original and mad. Please welcome genius devisor of musical comedy performance art sourcery…. Anya Anastasia.”
Then I’d enter all meek and blushing, accepting roses from strangers –overwhelmed, possibly weeping.
Does Anya Anastasia have a secret identity?
Secretly I’m a biased mustachioed MC.
Tell us how you became involved in cabaret?
Right in the beginning, the first time I stepped on stage with original material – I had an idea, and I tested it in front of an audience. Then I developed it in front of an audience. Everything I do has been crafted in that live energy and conversation of cabaret style performance – from beautiful bizzare and intimate performance art pieces, to high energy hysterical circus-band style songs, to swooning lullabies on ukulele designed to soothe and seduce.
That, and no other genre wanted me. I was too flamboyant for stand-up, too wordy for music, too musical for theatre, too dark for musical theatre, too mesmerizing for musical comedy, too sleazy for street theatre, too circus for dance and too uncoordinated for circus.
Your new show, TORTE E MORT which really does mean Songs of Cake and Death (We Googled), what’s it about?
On the surface it is a visually opulent, entertaining and funny look at glorious extremes of human behavior.
Woven into the show are themes about excess, indulgence, hedonism and earthly consequence.
Taking visual and conceptual inspiration from the iconic imagery and symbolism of pop-culture interpretations of Marie Antoinette, (grounded in a healthy historical knowledge too), I explore the idea that so many of us on the planet are taking what’s there because it’s made available, and not thinking about potential consequences of this. More, more, more!
This allows me to touch on environmental issues, political leadership commentary, ideas of personal morality and restraint and posing an invitation to lead a responsible life and consider our impact.
It also explores fear and eventually acceptance of mortality, and the perspective and wisdom that can give us.
What can Melbourne folk expect to see in the show?
There are a lot of twists and turns and surprises in this show, so I have to be careful what I say!… Audiences will meet the Devil, an un-dead Marie Antoinette, The Executioner, Death, (Grim Reaper who calls itself “The Post-Apocalyptic Auctioneer”) and there are also some beautiful moments where it is all about what you DON’T see in the show. ;)
How did you come up with the idea of TORTE E MORT?
It all started with being booked to perform at a Beaujolais Burlesque night at the end of 2013 put on by the Alliance Francais. For this I impulsively developed a character and costume that was a modern interpretation of Marie Antoinette, and very quickly fell in love with the character and aesthetic.
I grew obsessive with relevant historical research- especially concerning using fashion and dress as a form of political commentary and as an ‘accessory’ or vehicle for causing a stir and stimulating social disruption and discourse.
I also cottoned on to the endless possibilities for using this character to explore different relevant topical issues.
I must confess a huge part of it is that I REALLY loved playing such an indulgent and divinely over the top character.
At the time I was also looking into imagery and notions associated with the ‘DANSE MACABRE’ and the idea that being reminded of our mortality puts things into perspective. Death comes for us all, in death we are equal, all our earthly possessions and triumphs can be rendered meaningless.
I love this polarity.
Hedonism / consequence. Pleasure / danger. Cake / death.
Tell us a bit about your costumes?
Usually I make all my own costumes, but after 2 years of performing in a self-made Marie Antoinette dress, for this show I have collaborated with the hugely talented costumier ZOË FELICE who has designed and made Marie Antoinette’s newest gown and corset. It. Is. Spectacular. I’m completely in awe of this creation, and it totally amplifies my performance and the presence of the character on stage. Just Divine.
There are other costumes of course, but that one really takes the cake.
What are you most looking forward to performing at the Melba Spiegeltent?
To me the most exciting part of this upcoming performance is that I have been working with the extremely skilled and talented Bec Matthews on percussion. (Bec plays with Yana Alana, and was formerly with Circus OZ) The songs are sounding brilliant and her theatrical input into the show has been amazing. I’ve always loved having drums in my shows/songs. This new creative collaboration is going to give the show a thrilling energy and I’m so excited to perform with her.
Also since forever, I have been mesmerized and delighted by the feeling of being at a show inside a Spiegeltent. Performing in a space that has such a long history of brilliant shows being staged there ads so much to the energy and atmosphere and it is an honour to contribute to that lineage of great performers.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I feel as though I have answered this question, with my impassioned ramblings about Marie Antoinette. Having said that I do love playing each of the characters. The Devil’s sleazy showmanship, poorly executed magic tricks and horrific puns are equally close to my heart.
What kind of comedy can we expect?
Musical comedy, physical comedy, character comedy, puns, visual gags.. A lot of it is black-humoured as you could probably illicit from the show title. Anything from tricksy word-play to a cheezy musical theatre song parody. ;)
Music?
The show is made up of all original songs..
Demented songs that will grab your ears and bend them sideways.
Influences: Kate Bush, Diamanda Galas, Dresden Dolls, Tom Waits, The Tiger Lillies, Disney musicals, Tim Burton Movies. (Not music, sure, but still the visual aesthetic creeps into the lyrics and atmosphere)
Lastly why should EVERYONE in Melbourne see your show?
BECAUSE FUN! Because hilarious.
It is all ORIGINAL!
It is the WORLD PREMIERE!
It has been put together by a REALLY FREAKIN CLEVER TEAM including Directors SARAH WARD (Yana Alana) SUE BROADWAY and featuring BEC MATTHEWS. This show will be awesome. Just trust me. I know what I’m talking about. Just come.
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