There is something I love so deeply about tropical and subtropical environments. Perhaps it’s because I’m from England which is so temperate… I often hear people in California say they ‘miss the seasons’ but I personally feel living in a place that feels like perpetual Spring and Summer is as close to paradise as I can get! Maybe I just had enough dark, rainy Autumn and Winter for a lifetime growing up in the UK.
Anyway - the lush, wild abundance of the tropics always thrills me, triffid like plant life springing up from every surface, lizards and bugs perpetually peeping… That heady humidity makes me feel extra alive somehow, and the color all around - ahh! There aren’t enough words for it.
So, naturally I was thrilled to be invited to perform at Faena in Miami’s South Beach - a tropical paradise if ever there was one. Quixotic Fusion host a show at the Faena theatre and brought me in to guest at their late night ‘Nocturne’ party.
Faena is one of the most glamorous hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, dripping in the most opulent decor which manages to perfectly meld full baroque kitsch, old Hollywood glamour and sleek contemporary luxury, all while staying true to that distinctive Miami Deco style. I fell in love with the animal print themed dining room (very Tony Duquette) and indoor outdoor cocktail bar festooned with real shells and crustacean murals. And the Saxony Bar has to be one of the most beautiful bars I have ever visited. It felt almost like a jungle themed version of London’s iconic Rivoli Bar at the Ritz.
And the theatre itself…? What a jewel. A marvel of luxurious deep reds and golds, lovingly recreating a classic Art Deco aesthetic. It can also boast some of the best technical capabilities of any theatre I’ve had the pleasure to perform in, including a hydraulic stage that can split into multiple levels, and a rotating podium which I was delighted to use for the glitter pour finale of my act. Getting to incorporate mechanical theatrical elements into an act is such a pleasure, and can really bring extra magic into the experience for performer and audience alike. I truly hope I can work with this group again, it was such a joy!