‘Shrapnel’: A show with humour, family dysfunction and song
Image: Source: Hayes Theatre Co
Natalie Gamsu is an extraordinary cabaret artist who has performed extensively throughout the world. Born in Namibia and residing in Sydney she is bringing her latest one woman show Shrapnel to the Hayes Theatre.
She is very excited for theatregoers to see her new show which she describes as ‘an autobiographical monologue with much humour, family dysfunction and song’.
The show debuted in Melbourne at The Brunswick Ballroom in 2023 and then at the venue 45 Downstairs last June.
Her extraordinary career commenced performing in the underground night clubs in the 80s during South Africa’s dark apartheid years.
“Especially if it was satirical, it was the only way that you could have a voice of what was going on in South Africa, because it had to be overt for the secret police to get upset when they came to the clubs. But as I explain in my show, they didn’t understand satire so you could have fun,” she explained.
Gamsu honed her craft and was at her most creative performing in these clubs. She also felt a feeling of normality in these venues.
“I could be anyone or anything; gay, straight, white or black. Life outside the clubs could be very tricky during the state of emergencies – these clubs were a place of freedom.”
She could never make sense of what was going on in South Africa but her uncanny life experiences shaped her into the person she is today.
“That’s pretty much what this show is all about. Our lives blow up – like shrapnel and bits of it settle in us and sometimes we remove them and sometimes we grow around them – they become part of who we are.”
When asked what audiences could expect from her show Gamsu was quick to respond.
“They can expect to laugh, to cry and to relate to family, to dysfunction, to madness, to life. If we don’t laugh it’s harder to bare – comedy creates community. I think people also reflect upon their own lives and family while watching this show and they may be moved because of their own experiences.”
When asked what her thought process was in bringing Shrapnel to the stage Gamsu paused momentarily. “I’ve always been a storyteller through cabaret and musical theatre, and I love sharing stories. I thought my story was worth telling. There’s so much shame around family and we’re not supposed to say things that happened. It’s done with great love, and I love my family – it’s a love story really.”
Audiences will learn what life was like for Gamsu. “This shows how it was for me and my deep desire to be exotic and special in order to live.”
Gamsu believes her show Shrapnel is suitable for audiences from their late teens and well into their 80’s. “It should appeal to a very wide circle of people, and everyone has a story they tell me afterwards – truly without sounding arrogant nobody has ever come up to me and said they couldn’t relate to it. Come and laugh and have a wonderful evening.”
Shrapnel starring Natalie Gamsu
Oct 3 – 6. Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
www.hayestheatre.com.au
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