Across the Border: Kings Cross: Art and Culture: Mum's In

Fancy a Devonshire (Street) Wake? Bit of Blood on the Strand (Hotel)? Or do you want to share some Darlinghurst Push?

I didn't partake of any of these excellent-sounding vodka cocktails, but they're on the exclusive menu at the Kings Cross Hotel's Bordello Theatre, where the cult theatre show, Mum's In, is playing on Sundays at 5pm.

You may recall I saw Mum's In, and wrote about it, when it premiered at Heffron Hall back in June 2011. And still, two years later, actor Vashti Hughes' amazing one-woman show set during the 'Razorhurst' years is running. 

But this time, it's in its rightful home, a pub. And only for another two weeks!

I had been planning on going to see the show again, which has developed since I saw it last, and when Vashti offered me a couple of tickets for free, I put on my best 30s frock, met my dear friend Milly Fisher and we slunk on down to the pub on a Sunday.

Mum's In is a drinking show. That means you can order drinks from the roaming barmaid while the performance takes place, or even step up and order at the bar (but do it discreetly!). 

Drinking during the show is appropriate, too, considering it's focused on that period in Sydney's history when Darlinghurst and surrounding suburbs were home to many illegal grog dens where people could buy under-the-counter alcohol after the pubs had closed at 6pm.

It's hard to imagine pubs closing at 6pm, but Vashti Hughes brings to life the era and the characters that dominated the illegal booze scene, such as Tilly Devine, Kate Leigh and gangster Guido Calletti (whose wake the show is based around).

The Kings Cross Hotel is a great venue and the producers of Mum's In have made clever use of the space. We take the lift straight up to the level five rooftop and are met by a dubious-looking character, Slim Jim, who asks for the secret password and then draws an L on the palm of our hands, allowing us entry to the show.

Milly's red talons nicely matched the L and a quick glass of plonk before the show was a good match, too, for the fabulous view (of the 311 bus). 

We loved the rooftop so much, we returned during the intermission.

Slim Jim rings an old brass bell and we troop downstairs and take a seat in the intimate Bordello Theatre, which is all red velvet curtains, gilt mirrors and shadows. 

Vashti literally jumps, slithers and flits between five characters: Tilly and Kate, swaggering Italian Guido, as well as Frank Green - a lethal gunman - and Nellie Cameron, a North Shore schoolgirl who ran away to Kings Cross to become a prostitute (as you do). 

All the character's featured in Larry Writer's 2001 true-crime history book, Razor, which is required reading for all residents of the 2010 and 2011 postcodes. 

And this show really should be seen by anyone who has a fleeting interest in the deadly and debaucherous days of 1920s and 30s Darlinghurst when the streets were ruled by thugs with deadly razor weapons.  

If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you get tickets as there are only two shows left before the season ends!

*

Mum's In

The Bordello Theatre, Level 4, Kings Cross Hotel

Last shows: 5pm, Sunday 3 February and Sunday 10 February 2013

Written and performed by Vashti Hughes

Directed by James Winter

Music by Ross Johnston

Graphic design by Righteye Creative

Publicity by Emma Jones

www.mumsin.com.au

Darlinghurst Blog: Detritus: Mum's In Part Two

Oh my golly f**king goodness. I just had one of the most fabulous nights in the badlands of 1930s Darlinghust. Me and me gal pal, Salmina, put on our finest frocks and stockings, caught a cab (because we are always running late) and zipped down to Heffron Hall on the corner of Palmer and Burton streets.  

Of course, when we arrived, we didn't pay the driver, just held a razor to his throat, stole his takings and ran off into the night. 

We were f***king rich. And what a party we had. The event was Guido Calletti's wake and as Tilly always says, there's no party quite like a f**king funeral. 

We met Slim Jim under a streetlight on Palmer Street and he painted an L on our palms to allow us entry into the hall - ya can't have any old f**king riff-raff comin' to the party.

Then we knocked a ratta-tatt-tatt on the door, gave the password (Mum's In) and entered. We were patted down on arrival, natch, but they never found Salmina's razor which was slipped between her suspenders. Haha. I just kept me pistol in me handbag as per usual.

We grabbed some seats at the table closest to the stage where three old farts were sitting. We had planned to sweeten them up and roll them, but they were not the kind of chaps that fancy women, so instead we just got ourselves some sly beer - it being after 6pm and all - and a bowl of peanuts for three bob. Like I said, we were f***king loaded. 

There were about 50 other fine folk at the do, all swilling drinks and punching each other up, as you do. That dumb bitch f**king Surry Hills slum slut was also there and I gave her a right slappin'.

Then that bloody supremo actress, Vashti Hughes, arrived on stage and sang a few ditties for poor old f**king Guido, such as Knees Up Mother Brown and Fuck 'Em.

"I love me face in the paper

And there's one thing I'd like to say

It's all f**king bullshit 

That crime doesn't pay

"I'm f**king rich

I get f**king richer every day

Why would I change it now to

Turn around and play the straight way?

"F**k 'Em!

What the hell would they know

You'd have to be an imbo, a stupid twat

F**k 'Em!

I'm richer than a politician

Coz I've worked out a system.

Where I know what's what.''

Salmina and I sang along and even though we didn't know the tune we sounded bloody f**ing brilliant.

Well, it was the best f**king wake I have been to - what a f**king knees up! I just can't wait until Tilly Devine or Kate Leigh carks it, 'cos they would be some f**king excellent wakes to go to. 

As per bloody usual though, the party was broken up when we got word that the coppers were on their way, so we tore out of their real f**king quick smart, me and Salmina, off into the dark Darlinghurst streets.

Mum's In Website

Darlinghurst Blog: Detritus: Mum's In

If all goes to plan tonight I will be slinking on down to a secret venue in Darlinghurst to meet Kate Leigh, Tilly Devine, Frank Green, Nellie Cameron and Guido Calletti. And I'll be wearing the most fabulous 1930s get-up that I can drag out of my wardrobe. 

The occasion is a very special production, Mum's In, dreamt up by actor Vashti Hughes, who is bravely going to attempt to bring to life the five main characters from Larry Writer's Razor. And judging by what I have seen on YouTube, it's going to be rather amazing.

To attend this curious show I had to reserve tickets online and then an email was sent to me revealing the secret location and the password to gain access. If I dress in 1930s fashion, the ticket is only $20. For boring types who don't get into the spirit of the occasion, it's $30. 

Once inside there will be sly grog for sale but you can only purchase a drink using gold coins, none of that paper stuff.

So I have been busy researching the era in fashion books to get some inspiration for what to wear:

And this is exactly what I am going to look like:

Well, apart from the dazzling white fox coat and striking good looks of gamine, Paulette Goddard. 

And here I am again attempting to eat a whole pineapple at my last cocktail party with my dear friend, Salmina, who will be coming along to Mum's In with me:

The show is only going for another two nights - Friday and Saturday - so quickly pop online and reserve a ticket before it is booked out. 

MUM'S IN PART TWO

*

Mum's In, Stories From Razorhurst

Written and Performed by Vashti Hughes

Music by Ross Johnston

Produced by Brand X Productions

Directed by James Winter

Mum's In Website