Pic by Hayden Keenan
Pic By Hayden Keenan
Words by Allison O’Donoghue
Photography by Hayden Keenan & Allison O’Donoghue
U-Tube link provided by Mercia Deane-Johns: http://youtu.be/XOqmR19WZJ4
Cabaret Caliente’- El Rocco – Bar Me. August 28th
2011
Mercia Deane-Johns & Anne Maree McDonald.
Mercia Deane-Johns may
not be a household name. Her name may not trip easily off the tongue, however she
is well known and loved within the TV, film, theatre and music industry in
Australia. When you see her face you will recognise her instantly, as she
regularly pops up on Packed to the
Rafters or Aussie films such as Unfinished
Sky. Apart from being renowned as one of Australia’s most interesting and versatile
character actors, Mercia can also belt out a tune.
I ventured to Sydney
to catch up with old buddies and it was Mercia who brought us together for her Cabaret
Caliente’ show at El Rocco - Bar Me in Sydney’s Kings Cross.
We all gathered,
packed to the rafters (pun intended) in the bar area, chewed the fat and caught
up on lost years, then trundled down into the bowels of Bar Me, which has a
speakeasy vibe when in days of yore, drinking, vaudeville and clandestine gigs
were tantamount to arrest. Thankfully, we are free to enjoy the evening in
peace, although at nights end when we spilled out onto the narrow footpath,
where drinking is prohibited, the constant
reminder to step back inside became an irritating drone. Yeah I know, only
doing their job. But I digress.
We settled in for a delectable
session of cabaret with Anne-Maree McDonald accompanying on piano as Mercia
belted out show tunes and kept us laughing in between songs. A true master at
keeping the audience alert and entertained, Mercia knows how to work the crowd,
albeit a bunch that already willingly approved. Nonetheless, it’s a gift and
she’s got it.
As long as I’ve known
Mercia, she has never given up her Art and rightly so! Mercia is always honing
her skills and developing her talent, taking herself to the brink and back
again. It takes guts to get up and lay your soul bare and Mercia does it with
flair, panache and professional ease. Years of performing have given her the
skills to overcome the dreaded nerves, especially when surrounded by people who,
no doubt, like and love her. But somehow this can make it even more nerve-racking
as an element of not wanting to ‘stuff it
up’ or let her mates down, plays into the performance. Mercia did not
disappoint and nor did Anne-Marie who kept a low profile behind the piano and
accompanied Mercia vocally on several songs, like Wanna Buy Some Illusions, Ain't Misbehavin, I've been Taught by Experts, Not Getting Married, I've Learned to Let Things Go and many more rip roaring tunes.
I admire these women. I
admire them for their tenacity, devotion to their craft and ability to put
themselves out there. Its not that they aren’t recognised within the industry
for their obvious talent(s), it’s that they are not acknowledged enough.
Pic by Allison O'Donoghue
Pic by Allison O'Donoghue
Pic by Allison O'Donoghue
Mercia and Anne-Maree
gave us a thoroughly enjoyable evening of pure cabaret entertainment. If you
love Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Billy Holiday or Marlene Dietrich, then you
will love Mercia Deane -Johns and Anne-Maree McDonald in action. If ever you see a flyer or advert
mentioning either of their names do not hesitate – buy a ticket and rock up.
You won’t regret it.
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