The making of Disgrace Kelly: Dragging the diva through cabarets, pubs and Into the recital hall

This research project investigates the synthesis of cabaret and recital performance as a way to re-invigorate the recital as a performance platform. As a curious classical singer with a passion for cabaret, I have explored cabaret in my own creative practice as a classically trained opera singer through the employment of practice-led research methodologies. This project includes research manifested in rehearsals, performance and exegetical writing, including a unique self-reflexive voice in the writing style, to encompass a practice-led research methodology. The culmination of these approaches was a final performance program entitled Diva Bites the Dust. A study of the diva and her role within different musical forms has played a key role in the research and creation of Diva Bites the Dust. I developed a diva character named Disgrace Kelly, an aggregate of a multitude of divas studied and performed throughout the research. This study informed the structure of Diva Bites the Dust programme and is explored contextually within the exegesis. Diva Bites the Dust was the culmination of experimentation with performance hybridity. The diva icon was a unifying agent within which disparate musical styles, genres and dramatic themes could co-exist and illustrate narrative arch.

Grantor dc:publisher

Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Cassidy, Caitlin

• diva
• cabarets
• pubs
• recital hall
• opera
• singing
• performance
• Other Theatre and Performance Studies
• Performance Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/545

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ro.ecu.edu.au:theses-1546