Chez Michou, Cabaret in Montmartre, Paris, France.
Chez Michou is a cabaret in the 18th arrondissement where transformist performers take the stage in detailed costumes as guests dine on French cuisine. The venue arranges diners around small tables facing the performance area, creating an intimate setting where each artist changes characters multiple times during the show.
The cabaret opened in 1956 when Michel Catty founded it as a space for transformist performance in Paris. Over time it became a staple of the city's nightlife scene and established its place in Montmartre's entertainment history.
The performers embody French and international celebrities through elaborate costumes and mannerisms that reflect Paris's long tradition of transformist theater. Audiences experience a form of entertainment that has defined nightlife in this neighborhood for decades.
Reservations are essential and should be made in advance, as the venue fills quickly with regular audiences. The location is easily reached by public transport in Montmartre, though it sits on a side street so arrive a bit early to find the entrance.
The performers memorize intricate details of movement and speech for each character, changing costumes between numbers to surprise the audience repeatedly. This meticulous approach to impersonation reveals the technical skill behind what appears effortless on stage.
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