Despite the fact that the shows of the cult cabaret diva cause an ambiguous reaction of the public, and its shockingness can shock, it is impossible to deny the charisma and magnetism of the bright and versatile personality of this extraordinary woman.
Ursula Martinez: Biography
London-based Anglo-Spanish writer, illusionist, actress was born in 1966. She was educated at Lancaster University and began her career in an experimental theater, but later switched to solo performances, preferring to keep everything under control. Currently considered an international artist, her work is supported by the British Council.
She was awarded the Laurence Olivier Prize in the nomination "Best Entertainment Performance" and is an original member of the modern circus / cabaret. The most popular Martinez was the performance of Hanky Panky, first demonstrated in 2006 at the Montreal Laughter Festival.
Did the focus succeed?
Martinez for the first time combined magic with striptease in this performance, thereby causing great interest in the show with originality and novelty. The number is based on a trick with a handkerchief, which Ursula takes out from various pieces of clothing, which on it each time is less and less. The trick itself is simple and familiar for a long time - it hides a handkerchief in a special container on the thumb, but the production gathers huge halls. Spectators were attracted by the delightful exciting dance of Martinez, which left them no chance to concentrate on the shawl.
Everything changed after one day during the show a focus video was made of Ursula Martinez, which received loud publicity and access to the Internet. It was shown even on porn sites, although sexuality was not the main message of the issue. For cabaret diva, nudity was not something extraordinary, because she grew up in a nudist family, although, of course, Ursula was aware that this issue was provocative for most other people. Hundreds of ambiguous letters poured into Martinez's mail, she was worried, annoyed and a little scared, felt a loss of control over her own actions and the reaction of the audience. After some time, Ursula, in her usual style, found a way out of this situation and created a new show in response.
“My stories, your letters”
The show consists of two parts, one of which is dedicated to Ursula's memoirs and funny stories, and the second to the fans' responses to the messages she received after the video was made public.
In the first part, Martinez appears in a formal business suit with a red scarf peering out of his pocket, hair pulled in a ponytail on the back of his head. With her presentation, she sets the dynamics of interaction with the viewer, who nevertheless does not leave the question: "Will there be a striptease?" But when the time comes for funny stories from Ursula’s childhood and youth, everyone laughs heartily and the thirst for a naked body, which seemed to be the original reason for their presence here, quietly fades into the background.
In her stories, she reveals the intimate details of her family: the father’s sexual preferences, the grandfather’s romance with her wife’s sister, the inadequacy of the driving instructor, the details of her personal life - and all this presents in a funny, ironic and expressive manner. The special charm of Ursula Martinez is in her self-confidence, lack of complexes and special contact with the audience.
In the second part, Ursula appears simply dressed, with her hair loose. Changing the stage image has a relaxing effect on the hall, as if moving the audience from the office to the pub on a Sunday afternoon. The actor disappears and a person and personality appear in front of the audience. With a charming comedy, Ursula presents the authors of the letters, creating unique images for everyone that cause incessant laughter.
And if the audience’s expectations regarding the striptease are justified, don’t worry, no one leaves the show disappointed - the sparkling strip at parting leaves no one indifferent, and the audience leaves the hall with the feeling that he received something more than Martinez expected from the performance, because before him was the soul is naked, and this trust is worth a lot.
