From Japan with Love

Cherry Typhoon and her Burlesque Ninja

Cherry Typhoon and her Burlesque Ninja, written and directed by Cherry Typhoon, choreography by Cherry Typhoon and her burlesque ninja

The Montreal Fringe Festival proudly added Burlesque superstar Cherry Typhoon to their roster this year. If you're unfamiliar with this Japanese performer, she's made the rounds internationally, performing for well over a decade. In her latest production, Cherry Typhoon and her Burlesque Ninja, Typhoon is joined by three beautiful performers to tell the comical tale of Sensei Typhoon's ousting of the evil Moustache with the help of her three Ninjas.

The performance is ripe with comical over-acting, typical of Japanese animation and drama, and plenty of English and Japanese dialogue from Typhoon and her cast. But what sets this show apart is the level of talent that each cast member brings in: from Izumi Goto's sensational incorporation of an accordion, to Lou on the Rocks' jaw-dropping dancing that's reminiscent of a scene right out of Pulp Fiction. The selection of music is diverse, touching on Japanese renditions of songs, Latin-American originals, and some classics from North America. Lasting 45 minutes, the performance strikes all the right notes at the right time, and takes no breaks or interludes from start to finish. While other burlesque shows use large stages, colourful lights, and special effects, Cherry Typhoon and her Burlesque Ninja plays it safe, and uses a handful of props like masks, stuffed animals, and some colourful music to add to the comical drama between the dance numbers.

Of the most memorable numbers, a burlesque rendition of Black Swan near the end of the show is done masterfully and tastefully by Odile Shijimi. No stranger to ballet, she repeats the classic dance number in a burlesque style that left the audience unsure if they should be cheering or quietly admiring the beauty that was unfolding on stage.

You can catch this high-octane burlesque at The Wiggle Room (3874 Saint-Laurent) until June 22nd, and if you're a fan of burlesque, you definitely should. Check out all the relevant info on the Montreal Fringe Festival website, or http://www.cherrytyphoon.com/.

 

--Jocelyn Beaudet hosts The Dead of Night the Loneliest Hours, Fridays at 11:59 PM on CJLO 1690 AM