What good is sitting alone in your room wondering why Lisa’s appearance at the legendary Parisian venue is causing such a stir? Here is a beginner’s guide to cabaret culture to help you understand its rich history
Blackpink’s Lisa became the very first K-pop idol to perform in a cabaret when she was invited to perform five shows at the Crazy Horse, a famous venue in the French capital. Following her final performance, she shared stunning photos of herself in various outfits and from different moments from her stint at the institution.
For those unfamiliar with cabaret culture, these photos looked more sensual than what the Thai talent usually shares on her social media, which drew mixed reactions. However, cabaret is a centuries-old form of French performance art, so let’s unpack it a little. From its signature revealing outfits to and proud history to its connection to a traditional ballerina’s training, here’s what you need to know about cabaret culture.
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What is cabaret?
Believed to have emerged in France in the 1880s, cabaret is both a venue and a genre of performance—cabaret shows are usually performed at a cabaret.
The shows, which usually last around an hour or two, were an act of defiance and rebellion against the conventions of the bourgeois society. Through a clever mix of humour, dance, theatre and singing, cabaret shows also deliver a satirical view of social conventions and, yes, they are iconically titillating and sexy. However, they are very different from a gentlemen's club, as there’s rarely nudity, and there’s no physical interaction with the audience. Instead, cabaret shows are meant to provoke, empower and liberate. To achieve this, an artistic direction is necessary, which is evident through the scripts, costumes, stage props, backdrops, and more. Having fun, satirising social conventions and enjoying a bit of fantasy is the main spirit behind the cabaret.
This explains why the ambiance at cabarets tend to be quite casual. Unlike at the theatre, eating, drinking and chatting are all part of the experience in these kinds of establishments. In fact, “cabaret” actually comes from the Picard language and means “small room” or “establishment that serves drinks”. Obviously, some higher-end cabarets, like the Crazy Horse, encourage a more elevated atmosphere—elegant outfits are required and loud customers during show are not allowed.