Ursula Martinez: My stories, your emails

Ursula Martinez performed her celebrated burlesque act Hanky Panky at Salman Rushdie's all-female celebrity stage party. After the act, the guests - Nigella Lawson, Kathy Lette, Danni Minogue, you get the picture - kicked on with a game of the spin-the-bottle. To hear the rest of the story you'll have to go the My Stories, Your Emails at the Sydney Opera House, Studio Theatre. Martinez's solo performance follows on from her notorious magic striptease act Hanky Panky which I first saw some years ago as part of the award-winning La Clique variety show at The Famous Spiegeltent. In that memorable five minute performance, Martinez spices up the old disappearing hanky trick by removing her clothes and giving the hanky nowhere to hide, almost. One night a random punter filmed the show and posted it on You Tube where it went viral. The incident led to a bombardment of emails from 'admirers'. Martinez decided to respond by making a new show about men, sex and the internet.

The show is in two parts. In the first, Martinez relates a series of personal anecdotes that give some insight into her family, her upbringing, love life and work. The anecdotes are told in the wry tone of complicity that characterises the Martinez performance style and which makes her immediately likable for audiences. She is cheeky, shocking, tender and witty by turn and the brief, often poignant recollections and incidents she relates give an insight to the person behind the performer. Ursula Martinez is very skilful, talented performer with a special talent for mimicry. Her takes on her Spanish mother are especially funny.There is a brief entr'acte in which the audience is given the fully Monty of video that found its way as contraband to the internet.

The second half of the show is the most interesting. In it Martinez reads a lengthy series of emails she received once the viral video had cast its spell over a large number of viewers. Interestingly, all the emails she reads are from men which left me wondering if she had received any from women or, if she did, whether the tone and content was substantially different from that of her male fans. It would have been interesting to see the contrast. The correspondence ranges from the ridiculous to the, well, more ridiculous, all of it funny and a bit sad. What is especially interesting is the process Martinez used to gain permission from each of the mailers to use their missives in her show. Fascinating dialogue ensues and more than the odd peculiar character emerges, all beautifully rendered by Martinez in a wide range of accents and personas.

This is a tight, fun show that is a perfect choice for an after dinner, pre Christmas outing. It is light enough to keep you giggling but underscored by an intelligent tone of sociological commentary. And there are some bonuses for those wanting naughty bits. Thoroughly recommended.

Published on www.artshub.com.au