Monica Salvi and Michael Ferreri discuss Spirits in My Closet
Hallowe’en isn’t far away, a time when some people believe the veil between this world and the next is thin. Madamme Mystique invites us to her presence, with the help of her spirit guide Monsieur Cadavre on the piano, she “will channel a medley of spine-tingling showtunes and autobiographical spiritic stories”.
Monica Salvi and Michael Ferreri talk to use about creating and performing Spirits in my Closet – A Haunted Cabaret, appearing at Stage Door Theatre for three nights, including Hallowe’en itself!
Welcome to ET, it’s frightfully good to have you with us. Is there anybody there?
MS: Hi, I’m Monica Salvi, creator, writer, producer and performer (and costume and set designer – as I’m on a budget) of Spirits in my Closet – A Haunted Cabaret.
In the show, I play myself, but you can call me by my esoteric stage name… Mme Monique Mystique!
MF: And I’m Michael Ferreri, musical director, arranger, actor. I’ve worn many hats throughout my career, but this experience marks my first time taking on the role of a non-human being – Monsieur Cadavre – which is exciting and challenging.
MS: The way I described his character in the script is “a creepy figure with a disturbingly attractive face”. I created the role based on Michael’s skills, not just as a musician, but as a singer and actor. He’s too good (and, well, handsome) to just keep him in the shadows in an accompanist role!
Can audiences expect a spooky performance?
MS: Spirits in my Closet is a one woman show (plus one very spirited pianist) which “channels” paranormal-themed songs by various artists.
While this show is laid out as a cabaret, this structure provides me with a fun and entertaining way to share personal accounts of various life events and my own “otherworldly experiences”, which brought me to ask myself (and the audience) some questions about things that we sometimes experience, that don’t seem to find any explanation in the conventional perception of reality.
A “dark comedy autobiographical metaphysical cabaret” – is probably the best way to describe this show.
MF: Stylistically, the music spans a diverse range of genres, from musical theatre to jazz, from dark cabaret to some good old Disney repertoire – each element complementing Monica’s script as she weaves her mysterious web.
Which venue are you haunting?
MS: We are premiering the show at the intimate Stage Door Theatre, the first pub theatre in the heart of the West End on Drury Lane. Despite having been opened for less than a year, it has already collected an array of Off-West End Awards and nominations.
At the beginning of the year, I heard a new venue had just opened right in the heart of Covent Garden. I went to see their first production of Marry Me a Little and was blown away at how such a small room can be transformed (through the magic of a great lighting rig and a fairly large and flexible pop up stage) in a theatre where, despite the closeness to the audience, it still feels like there is a fourth wall, as if you were in a larger theatre. I think the venue really fits a show such as mine, which is partly cabaret, partly atmospheric storytelling.
MF: We’ve attended several productions at Stage Door Theatre – from captivating plays to exciting new musicals. The venue showcases a range of works featuring both established and emerging artists.
What is your favourite element of the show?
MS: For me, it’s the balance of humorous moments and more serious reflections. And the fact that I’m sharing these stories without wanting to claim any truth or impose it on the audience. I’ve always felt that there are things out there, as well as in here (points at herself), which cannot be explained – and we better accept that we can have so many theories, but very little grasp on what the truth really is…
MF: I think there is an endless fascination with the supernatural. But for me, it’s also about connecting with my fellow artists as well as the audience… and we’ve had some good laughs along the way.
How important is audience interaction to you?
MS: Even though this show has a lot less audience participation than my previous show Mad Women in my Attic!, I always want to make the audience feel included as much as possible. I talk to them throughout the show as if I was telling the story to a bunch of friends in my living room.
For me it’s a dialogue that starts even before the show begins. As soon as they enter the house and I hear them chatting while taking their seats, I begin talking to them (in my mind) from behind the wings, welcoming them into the space and asking them to enjoy and have as much fun as I do.
Somehow, this always creates a link and when I make my entrance, I can already feel their curious and excited attention.
Who do you imagine enjoying the show the most?
MS: This show is aimed at anyone who is interested in musical theatre, cabaret with a strong storyline, autobiographical shows, paranormal themes, dark comedy, ghost stories, the weird and wonderful and people who appreciate shows where the use of props and costume changes is an integral part of the storytelling.
MF: This is not cabaret in the traditional sense. At its heart, this is a theatre piece.
What do you hope the audience takes away from the performance?
MS: I hope people will simply enjoy themselves without taking things too seriously. But, at the same time, maybe they’ll become a bit more inquisitive and open-minded about… let’s say… things that go bump in the night!
MF: The hope is always that the themes resonate with the audience. In the show, there are many moments for the audience to reflect upon, both musically and in the story. And a few surprises too!
Is this going to be the show’s first time on stage?
MS: It’s the show’s world premiere!!! How exciting and terrifying!
Was there one moment during the production process that felt magical?
MS: When we did our first run-through with all the props and costumes, and everything more or less seemed to flow as much as I had envisioned in my mind while writing the show and all the stage directions. Up until then, I had no idea if what I’d written would make any sense or be any good! I also had no idea Michael would be so utterly hilarious and scene-stealing in his costume! Another magical moment was when our director, Clare McKenna, came on board – and if I thought I had complicated my life enough with all the details in the show, she came up with a thousand more details and nuances!
MF: This is my second production with Monica. The magic is putting the pieces of the puzzle together. In the beginning, it’s just a bunch of songs and a script. It’s finding the moments in rehearsal and the journey that is ‘transformative’.
Will you be in the bar afterwards to chat?
MS: We will, as the space has a bar at the end of the room and I have a million props to retrieve and put away while people go on enjoying their drinks! I would love if people came up to me to say they have experienced some of the stuff I describe I the show, or maybe even some weirder stuff!
MF: In addition to being a versatile theatre space, it is also a fabulous pub, so people will be able to enjoy food and drinks before and after the show. It’s great to meet those ‘faces’ in the dark and we’ll definitely need a drink!
What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show, and how did it come to be part of it?
MS: I have a lot of unconventional props (you could say my own house is a weird prop museum), probably the weirdest ones in this show are the musical instruments I use to create various sound effects. A couple of them are pretty rare, and I sourced them on second hand sites after months of online research during the lockdown years.
MF: I cannot give any spoilers, I’ll just say these weird instruments have often been used to create horror soundscapes in cinema. They’re quite mesmerising!
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery you’d love to have?
MS: I think I have enough set pieces (a lot more than required by a cabaret show!), but if budget was not an issue, I’d just use it to employ more people (PR, stage manager) and invest on marketing and a full run, rather than just a few dates.
MF: We’d have a full band!
If you had to describe your show as a famous person what would it be, and why?
MS: Probably a mix of Vincent Price, Elvira and Arthur Conan Doyle (who, not many people may know, was an avid paranormal researcher).
MF: A mix of Ruth Gordon and Marty Feldman.
If you could have any special guest (living or dead) attend your show, who would it be and why?
MS: Vincent Price, again. He’s always been my icon and inspiration; his style, flair and dark humour are definitely channelled in the show.
MF: Elaine Stritch. Who better to get the jokes and then have a drink after!!
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
MS: “Less is more”. But on this occasion, I think I failed miserably at it!
Thanks to Monica and Michael for this spirited chat! Spirits in my Closet will being playing at Stage Door Theatre on the 27th, 31st and 3rd October. Further information and tickets are available here.
