La Petite Mort is an exploration of sexuality through the medium of cabaret. Opening the act with a humorous anti-striptease it proceeds to discuss some of the more unusual aspects of human sexuality through story and song. Using the standard cabaret line up of chanteuse and pianist the show discusses the ‘invention’ of the female orgasm, the chemical nature of sexual attraction and the various mating habits of different animals. This leads into discussing the woman’s lot in relationships and romance which it does in a very non-judgemental fashion despite shows of this nature usually being tied into a purely liberal mindset.
The songs of the performance are a mixed bag. The chanteuse doesn’t have quite the range needed to pull off all of the tracks chosen and while quite entertaining as a country and western singer is really quite average.
On the whole the exercise lacks much needed charisma. Alternatively sultry and slutty the production never really establishes a mood. Nor does it progress from one to the other with any degree of elegance. There was a marked lack of rapport with the audience throughout the performance. Jokes and ironies passed by in silence and any applause seemed stilted and without enthusiasm.
More interesting as a study in sexual history than as a cabaret La Petite Mort is a show in need of polish and the right audience. That said it is probably the most profoundly feminist show dealing with this topic at the fringe and worth watching just for the information it imparts.
2/5 
Benn Beaton
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