Courtney Act - ‘Boys Like Me’

Courtney Act stormed the Gingers stage in Sydney last night – in a triumphant homecoming! Looking drop dead gorgeous in a simple soft pink sequin classic showgirl gown, all class and in terrific voice she brought her new cabaret show Boys Like Me back to her old stomping ground and to an audience of friends and admirers. As she said in her welcoming spiel – “is there anyone here tonight I don’t know”, it was that kind of night.

 

 

Boys Like Me is a clever ninety minute showcase of Courtney’s charm. It tells the story of her life in the US and the sexual encounters and delights she has experienced walking the gender divide. I mean what’s not to like about a string of tantalising sex stories and a whole lot of perfectly selected pop songs to illuminate the point.

We learn over the course of the show about Shane’s (the guy behind Courtney) earlier sexual education, through teenage stories of sexual awakening and songs like Katy Perry’s I kissed a girl and a fantastic version of Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t you worry child with chorus lyrics “See heavens got a plan for you” being a stroke of genius in giving these stories genuine heart amongst the wit and fun.

 

 

I’ve been along for the ride now of each of Courtney’s cabaret shows and this one really seems to be a wonderful step into a whole new world of slick and polish. Courtney seems to have chosen a lower register to place her voice; the belting is now only used to give emphasis and her arrangements seem to have a refined cabaret sensibility.  Last night she was accompanied by Jeremy Brennan on the piano and Lucas Edmonds on the drums who were completely aligned with their singer and delivered a great sound.

The second half, and a change into a stunning nude illusion number showing off her famous toned pins, its more stories about sex - a very saucy encounter with a set of twins,  and an interesting observation of gender confusion when the alter ego and the self both tangle in the same relationship.  Interspersed with a poignant version of Both Sides Now by Join Mitchell and an emotional Real Men by Joe Jackson, Courtney had her audience in the palm of her hand.

Boys Like Me has recently played in LA, New York and now Sydney – and that’s just for starters – keep an eye out for its next stop by following Courtney Act on Facebook.