It’s not easy trying to describe the multi-award winning performer Paul Capsis’ varied and versatile career in a few sentences. An acclaimed and multi-award performer, Paul built his remarkable national and international career with his solo shows, theatre work, film roles, voice work and concerts. He sang with the gospel choir, channels artists like Janis Joplin, played Riff Raff in the Australian production of Rocky Horror Show, and performed at numerous places around the country and the world. In short, to say that he is a man of many talents is a bit of an understatement.
When he performs as a cabaret artist - a highly successful one at that - his voice ranges from powerful to poignant and everything in between, as he connects with his songs. Known for his spectacular stage presence, he sashays, shimmies, and shines, then intrigues and mesmerises. Paul Capsis is a complete and and one-of-a-kind package.
He returned to the stage at the Supper Club on Oxford Street with his show “Back on the Strip!” this month a part of Showqueen series with one remaining show this Sunday. He talks to Cabaret Confessional about the show and all things cabaret.
Tell me a bit about your show “BACK ON THE STRIP!” What can the audience expect from it?
It’s just me back playing Oxford street after a few years away. It’s my greatest hits show. All my best bits and more.
How did you discover cabaret as an art form?
I was always interested in Rock 'n Roll but landed in cabaret. It seemed like the only place for me to go, the only place I’d be accepted. The Rock music industry in Australia has always been extremely homophobic and so the cabaret scene took me in. It's funny, because I work in varied areas now, like you mentioned. I do perform Rock shows of my own making. I have won several Helpmann awards for my MUSIC presentation. I even beat Delta Goodrem and the Go Betweens, yet, I am kept at arms length in the music business here. I don't see myself as a cabaret performer. I see myself as a performer.
When you’re writing a cabaret show, what elements do you try and incorporate into it?
Songs that I can relate to. Songs that express how I am feeling. Channelling. Shaking ass. Working out. Selling it to the punters. Screaming, screeching and some singing too. Stamping my feet. The usual fare.
What was it like returning to Oxford Street after a 15-year long break? In what ways did it change and in what ways did it stay the same since the Albury Hotel days?
It has changed a lot. I don't recognise it. It’s lost its charm. The sense of community spirit is gone. As the result and devastation of the AIDS holocaust, we lost so many great and influential people we wont see the likes of again. It looks like vomit now. Reminds me of a dirty toilet now. In need of a good clean. It’s sad.
The Supper Club on the other hand is trying to return something that was fun.
How did you become involved with the Showqueen series?
Firstly I was invited to perform at Showqueen by Trevor Ashley in Melbourne whilst I was there doing The Rocky Horror Show playing Riff Raff. Then I went to a few nights there on Oxford street and loved the night. By far the best Cabaret vibe in the city.
You’ve just finished performing A Company of Strangers, a unique show with a group of very different performers last month in Brisbane. What was that like?
Hell mostly. I had a few good nights there but didn't connect with the Brisbane audience. It was a bit of a nightmare.
That must have been awful. How did the Adelaide Season of A Company of Strangers go earlier this year in February for the Adelaide Fringe Festival in comparison? I saw the show myself and thought it was incredible.
A Company Of Strangers in Adelaide was magical. The whole Fringe vibe there was just special at The Garden of Unearthly Delights, and that’s exactly what it was. Adelaide does good festivals in the first place. The people of that city know how to embrace the idea of festivals, even if at times it can also be hostile.
We had a perfect set up, proper lights and sound. We had the brilliant Matthew Carey on piano. It was a smaller more intimate venue. We packed it out. We had special quests. We had Christine Johnston (one part Kransky), she was my favorite guest. She fit in perfectly in our show, both in Adelaide and Brisbane. Martin Martini had a better time in Brisbane. I loved the group. We were all very different as singers and the way we interpret songs.
I was the Grandaddy of the group and felt much admiration for the group. They inspired me. Lady Carol and I were flatmates in Adelaide and we had a great time together. Downing 'Mother' before the show and piling on the make up and cabbing it into town with dodgy Indian taxi drivers. There was something in the air about that season. I had just come off doing Rocky Horror show for a year and was missing doing my own thing. The weather was perfect. Adelaide was sexy. The smell of burnt corn, fairy floss, sweat, sawdust, Ferris Wheels, fairy lights, tents, sideshow freaks, hundreds pouring into the garden, expecting something to happen and it always did happen...... We were all together, there was a great camaraderie.
What aspect/s of cabaret as an art form appeals to you the most? You’re a versatile performer with vast experience in acting, dancing and singing. What makes you coming back for more cabaret?
The danger of cabaret is what I love. You go out there and see what happens. It’s raw, that’s what I like and I have created my very own style of performing. However, you still need the proper support ie technical and music. You need proper lights and sound and great live musicians to make it happen or else it just falls flat. That’s what we didn't have with A Company Of Strangers in Brisbane and then there was that crowd who didn't get it or behaved like they had never been out before!
Are there any cabaret artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future? Any themes that you’d like to explore?
I’d like to sing with Diamanda Galas. Sexy men is a theme Id like to explore, oh and in cabaret too.
How do you connect to your audience? In what ways do you feel the connection to them while you’re performing?
It’s something I can't really explain. When it does happens, its magic.
Cabaret scene seems to be thriving again in Australia as well as all over the world. Do you think the resurgence will continue?
I wasn't aware it had gone away. It comes in and out of favour I guess. You can't beat cabaret for its immediacy and its raw energy. I am not into the soppy musical theatre variety of cabaret. For a while there that was taking hold. Thank goodness that has passed on. There was a recent Aussie artist returned to our shores and he made a statement that cabaret in Sydney was dead. He obviously had his finger firmly up his own arse and not on the pulse. Sydney cabaret is thriving.
What other projects have you got in the wings?
Threepenny Opera next year with Malthouse theatre in Melbourne starring Judi Connelli, Eddie Perfect, Casey Bennetto and others. The director is Michael Kantor. Another one is All About My Mother with the Melbourne theatre Company. I’ll be playing Algrado. Wendy Hughes is cast. It will be directed by Simon Philips. Angela's Kitchen with the Griffin theatre is in the works too. It’s a solo piece about my Grandmother and her Island home of Malta. Julian Meyrick will be directing it.
What would be one of the most memorable stand-out moments of your cabaret career? What made it so special?
Actually, the show I did last Sunday at Showqueen was off the page. It was wild and the audience were hysterical. The band Bev Kennedy and the Beverages blew the place apart. It’s that small room and the electricity was very exciting. Other than that, Diva, which is a show I performed recently, too was a special stand out and playing Vienna and Melbourne is always a treat. Of course playing New York in ‘07 was a dream come true.
Showqueen Sundays: Paul Capsis – BACK ON THE STRIP! With special guests
Nov 15 @ 8:30pm (doors open at 7.00pm)
Tickets: $35 (booking fee $3.70)
The Supper Club
134 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Click here or call 1300 GET TIX (438 849) to book the show.
Paul Capsis’ official website: www.paulcapsis.com
Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7:15AM 
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