This Meow Meow loves milk too. Photo by Nicholas Harmony
By Jim Roberts
Meow Meow may not be a household name in the U.S., but in the world of cabaret, she’s a legend with an international following in cities like Sydney, London and Berlin. The day before we spoke, an Australian critic described her as a “kamikaze cabaret goddess,” adding: “Think Dita Von Teese but Mad Max style, with bigger hair, sharpened wit, and pipes to rival those she’s often compared to: Piaf, Minnelli, Dietrich.”
Here are some highlights from the conversation …
VEER: Do you read your reviews? There have been a couple published in the past few days that are just about as good as you could ask for.
Meow Meow: I have them vetted. If I get sent one, I think, ‘Yes, I’ll read that. That’s going to be good.’ … I mean, sometimes I don’t, because if I’m still making the work, it’s quite hard. But this was the end of a massive tour, so when they were being sent to me I was like, ‘This sounds good. All right, we’ll read these.’
VEER: I read the ones on Scenester.com and WhatsTheShow.com, and you couldn’t have written better reviews yourself.
Meow Meow: Well, it’s a lovely thing. … It’s pure entertainment, but it’s layered. I really love it when all the layers are seen, I suppose, because I like to be able to appeal to 5-year-olds and 100-year-olds as well. … There’s something very beautiful when you bring people together—whatever their political leanings are or whatever state they’re in—to just have a moment of beautiful music.
VEER: What’s your relationship with the Virginia Arts Festival? You first came here in 2013, right?
Meow Meow: It was 2013, and it was really special. Actually, we’d had flight delays, and it felt like I’d almost swum there from London. It was this sort of epic journey, but the response was so beautiful. I still remember what I was wearing, meeting people afterwards, and just feeling that it was very special. And then, because of the pandemic, we’ve had this endless reshuffling of dates—cancellations and reshuffling. So I can’t believe we’re finally, finally getting back.
VEER: When you first came to Virginia, some people knew your work—but others were taking a leap of faith. What was their reaction?
Meow Meow: I love those people because I think that’s what we all have to do—take a leap of faith, don’t we, and get out of the house and get into the live space. … I think they’ll be surprised at the eclectic mix of music. It’s a heightened performance. I like to be ridiculous, I suppose, and then be heartbreaking. If I could do all of that in an evening, that’s quite nice. … It’s got a lot of comedy in it, but the musicianship is really special. So I think that’s why it can appeal to all sorts of people. I don’t take myself seriously on stage, but I do take the art form very seriously, if that makes sense.
VEER: You mentioned the music. Are you touring with a band?
Meow Meow: It’s just piano for this theater—Jack Lipson, beautiful pianist, but he’s essentially an orchestra. I do love singing with orchestras, and it’s a mix of contemporary songs and original songs. … I guess I like to provide laughter and to provide a place to just be a little bit on the edge of your seat again, because you never know how people will perceive you. They either think it’s the most hilarious thing, or they’re terrified.
VEER: How did you find yourself in this niche?
Meow Meow: What I love in the cabaret genre is that you’re really telling stories within each song. So you’ve got many plays—many massive, epic life journeys within each song. I love that. So it’s like you’ve seen 20 plays in a night. I like that you can go on the range of emotions—and also the freedom within that genre to change the material so you’re not stuck to a narrative. I really love that, because it means you can respond to what’s happened in the day or what you’re feeling in the audience. So I like that you’re not stuck to a narrative. There’s an element of a free soul.
VEER: What are you hoping to do while you’re here in Virginia?
Meow Meow: I hope they’ve got flowers thrown at me on my arrival! I hope there are dancing boys and girls to collect me from the airport. I will expect a massive list of things to do—and a chauffeur.
VEER: I’m sure the Arts Festival will take care of you. What riders do you have in your contract?
Meow Meow: I’m a simple girl with simple tastes. So I’ll be waiting for a list of lovely things—and top companions to show me the city.
VEER: Anything else you’d like to share?
Meow Meow: Do make sure it’s just Meow Meow, because if that blonde gets a mention, she’ll be furious.
VEER: Who’s that? I missed something.
Meow Meow: Exactly. Just keep it all with me, and we’ll all be happy.
Meow Meow
Presented by Virginia Arts Festival
March 30 and 31
Robin Hixon Theater