Express Yourself: Michael Griffiths gets his Madonna on at Slide

Give Michael Griffiths a grand piano, some Madonna tunes, a microphone and a spotlight and you’ll end up with one hell of a show.

If you’re ready to Strike A Pose and Express Yourself with Madge, head on down to Slide Bar in Sydney this Wednesday to see Griffiths’ one man show, In Vogue: Songs By Madonna.
A current Jersey Boys cast member, classically trained pianist and consummate performer, Michael Griffiths is a self confessed Madonna fan, but quick to explain that this show is not your run-of-the-mill tribute.

“A Madonna tribute would traditionally suggest I wear a gold conical brassiere, blonde wig and BE her. Or that I, as Michael, tell stories like ‘when I was six, my mother bought me Holiday on vinyl…’ This is not that kind of show”, he said.

“It’s an exercise in camp in a lot of ways – it’s like an alternate reality, really. Yes, it’s about her life, but it’s also about giving her credit as a song writer. I speak as Madonna in the first person, but I sit behind a grand piano and play all the music myself”, he laughed.

Griffiths admits that the idea of Madge accompanying herself on a grand piano in cabaret is quite absurd, but the format enables him to truly celebrate her songs and her talent as a songwriter. The evening is about suspending one’s disbelief for an hour in order to celebrate the music of the world’s most re-invented pop star.

Written and directed by Dean Bryant (assistant to Simon Phillips at the MTC), the show premiered at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June with huge success. While branching away from the notion of a ‘tribute’ show, Griffiths explains that the show is most certainly a cabaret event:

“It’s a cabaret show in the most simple, strict and traditional sense. It’s stories told through cabaret and song. I don’t just chat, do a song, chat, sing a song… it’s all very integrated. There are 35 different Madonna tunes used in the show in some form. ”

Madonna’s songs are incredibly biographical, and Griffiths believes it is nearly impossible to discuss her myriad of material without also discussing her life.

“Moments which have informed her work come into the spotlight also. It’s not a conventional show about her life, but her art is characterized by her life”, he said.

So head on down to Slide in Darlinghurst for this one night only event, and see the very talented Michael Griffiths in action. This beautiful stranger will take you through the ups and downs of his Madonna CD collection (yes, every CD in the poster belongs to him, and that’s just the start!) in a guaranteed great night out!

Venue: Slide Lounge, 41 Oxford Street, DarlinghurstDate: Wed 10 August 2011 Prices: Dinner and Show $60.00 7pm (pre purchased only) Show Only $25.00 at 9pm (pre purchase and at door) Bookings: T: 02 8915 1899 or email catherine@slide.com.au