By: Kylie Condon
My girlfriend and I were excited to experience our first cabaret show in Paris. We headed up to the Pigalle neighborhood in search of the legendary Divan du Monde-Madame Arthur. Famous guests such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Adolphe Léon Willette, and Pablo Picasso were once known to frequent the space so we were in good company.
Today, Divan du Monde still puts on delightfully cheeky shows with both male and female performers. The male performers dress in drag, but not your typical RuPaul’s Drag Race over-the-top drag. It’s more of an elegant look. Many of the men onstage could wear a pair of Louboutins better than I ever could!
Despite the show being entirely in French, we were still blown away by the talent on stage. The performers sang, danced, and played their own instruments in a loving way while still managing to make the audience laugh. A lot of jokes definitely went over our heads because we don’t speak French, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
The space itself is comprised of two separate theaters. At the 9 pm show, they use the larger theater with a magnificent balcony overlooking the stage. The smaller, cozier theater houses the 11 pm cabaret show that’s a bit more “naughty.” If you need some food or libations during the show, they have an extensive food and drink menu that I’d highly recommend.
Once the cabaret is over, the venue turns into a nightclub that’s actually quite popular! The club stays open into the wee hour of 6 am. Divan du Monde-Madame Arthur is more than just a cabaret show, it’s a way to spend an evening in Paris!
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