The Monocle Review: Sultry Dance Show Revives 1920s Paris Lesbian Club
Le Monocle was a famed lesbian club, opened by Lulu de Montparnasse in 1920s Paris. It served as a rare haven where lesbians could live and love freely, attracting notable figures like Marlene Dietrich and featuring Edith Piaf's mother in its cabaret. This secret Sapphic story is now the setting for Rendez-Vous Dance's latest show, currently performing at The Corn Exchange in Newbury.
Atmospheric World-Building and Characterful Performances
The production begins with a Kit Kat club vibe, transitioning into a low-lit wooziness where bodies melt together in fluid motion. Jazz singer Imogen Banks, with her rich honey voice and understated charisma, is central to the show, seamlessly integrating with BSL interpreter Caroline Ryan and the cast. Choreographer Mathieu Geffré crafts this world with the help of James Keane's atmospheric score, building a tangible sense of community.
Quirky, characterful dances abound, such as a woman in a sailor suit performing a spotlighted routine with quirky limbs, and another binding her breasts to the song Mon Homme (My Man). The dancers don moustaches and mimic chivalrous gestures, both mocking masculinity and delighting in the cosplay, highlighting the fluidity of identity.
Dance Styles and Narrative Tensions
The dance itself varies from louche and drunkenly lurching to meticulous, playful, or sultry, matching the music's moods. However, the revelry is abruptly ruptured by a sudden thunderous intrusion—a figure clad in a black trenchcoat, presumably representing the Nazis whose occupation forced the club to close in 1941. This threat rumbles throughout, adding a layer of tension to the celebration.
Despite the strong concept, the show has its flaws. The characters aren't deeply drawn, their arcs waver, and the momentum occasionally stalls. Some dancers could squeeze more juice out of their movements and connections, such as the couple whose romantic duet closes the first half, which lacks convincing emotional depth.
Strengths and Legacy
Geffré's previous show, What Songs May Do…, was a hit at the 2024 Edinburgh fringe, offering a realistic portrait of queer love set to Nina Simone. While The Monocle doesn't quite reach that level of conviction, it excels in originality, uncovering a lesser-known historical story and exploring female partnering. The history, songs, and celebratory sense of community make it a moment in time well worth reviving.
The show is on tour until 6 March, offering audiences a glimpse into this hidden chapter of Parisian nightlife.
