Coming to America...Camille O'Sullivan

The Irish are coming, the Irish are coming!!! And this is a good thing, folks! Actually, it's a wonderful talent by the name of Camille O'Sullivan, who is coming to America and will make her U.S. debut in her show, "CAMILLE - La Fille Du Cirque" at The Spiegeltent, Pier 17, South Street Seaport on September 5, 13 and 19.

After sell out seasons in Edinburgh, Brighton, Adelaide and Melbourne, O'Sullivan performs the dark and light songs of Jacques Brel, Nick Cave, Tom Waits and more in a show awarded Best Music in Brighton Festival 2005 and Best Artiste Melbourne Green Room Awards 2004. Spotted in the Famous Spiegeltent , O'Sullivan recently co-starred in Stephen Frears' new film Mrs. Henderson Presents, opposite Dame Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and Will Young.

Possessed by a decadent European spell, this raven-haired Irish chanteuse is a real star enthralling audiences with her stunning voice and passionate, dramatic performance. O'Sullivan is noted as being more into "storytelling through song" than just simply singing. She is s a real Irish gal with an interesting background. Half French/half Irish, she used to be an award winning architect and painter, then lived in Berlin for a while and fell in love with "Kabarett", and finally fulfilled her dream of performing in a circus by travelling the world with the Spiegeltent.

Prior to her engagement, I asked her about life as a cabaret singer and her journey to New York.

TJ: So, is this your first time coming to New York?

O'SULLIVAN: No. Actually, I came here for a holiday nine years ago when I had just qualified as an Architect! I was blown away by New York then and pretty much have the same great feeling this time around.

TJ: A singing architect...hmm, quite a unusual combination. OK, now I know that this is your US debut and New York to boot. The excitement level must be pretty high for you. How are you feeling about all of this?

O'SULLIVAN: Incredibly excited. Irish performers always talk about performing in America and especially New York which is the highlight. I'm looking forward to what they will make of the show. As I've been performing in Absinthe throughout August I've already got a little taste for the reaction you get from an audience here, it's all from the heart, they let you know whether they like it or hate it!

TJ: Tell me a little bit about your upcoming performance in NY?

O'SULLIVAN: Well, this show CAMILLE LA FILLE DU CIRQUE has toured for nearly two years now in the UK, Australia and Ireland after my having 'run away with the circus' The Famous Spiegeltent. The show was created for the mirrored tent where essentially the stage is anywhere in this beautiful old circular setting and belongs there. I like to use the space either standing with the band, sitting on and with the audience, in a booth, or swinging on a trapeze. I'm not good with boundaries. The songs include the works  of Nick Cave, Jacques Brel and Tom Waits and are all narrative based. It's all about telling a character's story, so I would liken myself to an actress that sings a monologue similar to the basis of old German Kabarett. Singing in English, French and sometimes German, I like to become different characters, showing in a sense every aspect of myself whether that is vulnerable, angry, harsh or funny. The audience never knows quite what will happen next as you reveal yourself through the show, People have likened it to a chameleon and usually ask which one are you! It's a bit of a rollercoaster of different emotions and is not a passive show for the faint-hearted. There is some fun in the show but the darker emotional songs are there to make myself, and hopefully the audience, question aspects of themselves.

TJ: So basically, it's a cornucopia of music that you'll be presenting. OK, so when did you start performing?

O'SULLIVAN: I never trained as a singer which actually suits this type of singing. Luckily, I began acting when I was at high school and sang a little. It was when I was studying to be an architect that I did a show called JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL...around 12 years ago. This inspired me to sing and learn more about these songs. Around the same time I lived in Berlin on a year out, hanging out at the Cabaret clubs soaking up all the Weimar Kabarett music. I kept up performing and four years after I was qualified, I shared the great news with my parents that I was going to give it all up to do my own solo shows, which was around 5 years ago.

TJ:  What was it that made you want to perform in front of live audiences?

O'SULLIVAN: I ask myself the same question every time before I go on stage! Performing live is the most wonderful experience but it has conflicting feelings for me of being nervous yet confident which gives me a certain edge, I suppose! I'm more private and shy off stage to the person I am on Yet for some reason, I feel I can truly express all and the best of me with an audience. The stage becomes a bit of a playground, and I love that feeling of being completely present in a song and immersing myself in it whilst connecting with people. It's a surreal interaction for sure.

TJ: OK, now the big question....do you consider yourself a singer who acts or an actor who sings?

O'SULLIVAN: Hmm, it's a fine line…both really. There are aspects of me when I sing that are about primarily telling the story and the music supports it. So, at times you feel you are speaking a song, even if you are singing. And than there are songs that I really sing and rock out with the band and it does' 't matter what they're hearing as it's all the music. I alternate in the show so the audience can relax and than listen again.

TJ: I see that you have a CD out. What can you tell me about it?

O'SULLIVAN: I have one out called "A Little Yearning" and also two Live CD'S out soon. (A Brel CD and 'La Fille Du Cirque' CD/'DVD, which will be on sale soon). "A Little Yearning" represents the first show I did, and includes Hollaender songs, Brel, "Amsterdam," "Song For Old Lovers," "Marieke" and "Voir un ami pleurer." There is Nick Caves' "Little Water Song" and Tom Waits' "Innocent When You Dream." It is more laid back than my live shows but still has the idea of different characters on it, expressing different emotions and stories. The other CD's reflect my fuller personality on stage, with all its passion and drama!

TJ: There's a great song on there called the MASOCHISM TANGO, which is one of my favorite pieces. How did you choose this song?

O'SULLIVAN: I love spending time choosing songs, finding the ones that suit your interpretation. This one I had done years ago as part of a tribute to the wonderful Tom Lehrer the author, who happened to be a Harvard professor before writing brilliant comic songs. It's got a fantastic tango beat and with his wicked sense of humour, creates a dramatic song that people immediately want to respond to or putting a rose between their teeth (slight exxageration but close!). I do like to make fun of myself and with this one you can be completely deranged and up to no good...ole!

CAMILLE - LA FILLE DU CIRQUE runs at The Famous Spiegeltent at the Fulton Fish Market, Pier 17, South Street Seaport on September 5, 13 and 19 at 10PM. Running time is 80 mins and tickets are $20. For tickets, call 212 279 4200 or visit www.spiegelworld.com. Don't miss it!!!