A funny, witty and very real exploration and performance of what it can be like to work in retail is what Cassandra Croucher delivers in her cabaret show 'Retail Therapy'.
The show explores how a woman has become so anti-people through her experiences as a retail assistant, a position that Cassandra has been in herself and has pulled material from.
Cassandra lightheartedly explains how the show and the idea came to be. "The process took about a year. I started with this initial idea of a woman that is just anti-people and then from there I thought why is she anti-people? And I thought... Because she is working in retail! I wanted there to be real emotion that people can relate too,” she says. “ The process of writing and working in the songs was straightforward really. I find the songs come to me first. I'll collect all the songs and then work out what scene they'll work in."
Pulling from her own experiences and real stories from others in the industry was a key aspect of the show that kept it real. "I thought about my own experiences when I was in uni working in retail, and then I researched some outrageous stories, went for coffee with friends who work in retail and went to talk to small businesses to gain their stories about awful retail experiences," she says. “I just wanted it to be real, so I cast the net a bit further and went to people asking them to give me their stories! The different types of retail had different stories, so I worked in the best ones for the show."
‘Retail Therapy’ is a well-crafted one woman show. Cassandra explains why it was almost natural for just her to be in the show: “I'm very independent, I'm an only child, I liked the challenge of putting together a one woman show that depicted what it's like to work in retail."
Although the show works so well as a one woman performance, Cassandra realised the challenges of the show being a one woman story. She explains how the use of song got her around any obstacles. "Most other shows about this are based on role playing with a customer and an assistant, being a one woman show I obviously can't do that. I use retrospect and make things more general. For example I have a parody of Chicago's 'Cell Block Tango' where I talk about different customers, and that works really well."
This time around, the show is a part of the Brisbane's Wonderland Festival; performing at the Powerhouse is something Cassandra talks about with happiness in her voice. “Performing at the Powerhouse has been a long-time dream. It's such a nice, creative space and every time I've been there it's like coming home. It's amazing to finally reach the dream."
As this show has previously sold out, the pressure of keeping up the high standard is something Cassandra fully feels. "Yes, 100 per cent I feel the pressure. I've been marketing really hard this time. I have two extra nights and I've been giving people that work in retail a group discount so they can get their team together and come for a fun night out and see their life on stage. I've set the bar really high again. This time the show is a bit different and more developed; I always want it to be better each time."
As well as performing in her dream location, Cassandra explains what she most looks forward to when performing. “The audience’s responses are always my favourite moments. When you sing a line you think is funny and you get that instant response of laughter, it's amazing."
Continuing to perform the show and create new projects are both things Cassandra sees in her future. “I’d love to tour the show to Melbourne and Perth. I'm also keen to put the word out and see if anyone in Brisbane wants to collaborate on something new and fresh."
