Isabella Valette Presents Mediawhore Interview

Do you hate reality television? Perhaps it's your guilty pleasure?

Meet the most fame hungry narcissist in social media history. April Fools, a young aspiring actress who realises that all her dreams could be fulfilled via the launch pad of reality TV. April is determined to remain famous, whatever the cost!

Between interviews with her super-casual yet cutthroat agent, parasitic journalists and ruthless audition panels, April is forced to delve deeper into what an audience really wants to see.

Valette brings a reworked version of 'Mediawhore' (formerly -Media Release') to probe the relentless rise of instant celebrity culture, its stars, the entertainment industry, social media and the effect that all this has on our psyches.

'I wanted April's journey to raise questions about the portrayal of women in the media, and how their worst qualities are exploited in the name of entertainment." Valette states.

Valette debuted a sell out season at Melbourne Fringe and was mentioned by The Herald Sun in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as a -newcomer generating buzz'. Valette is also a member of prestigious Melbourne based improvisation troupes, -Impromptunes,' and -The Big HOO-HAA!' Valette will travel to Europe in July to perform her sassy brand of comedy and also join -Impromptunes' for a run at Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe 2016.

With the help of Director Fiona Scott-Norman and choreography by Jason Teasdale, Valette is able to present Melbourne audiences with a more interactive version of the show. Musical input by Isaac Heyward and Rainer Pollard makes this show right at home at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2016. Whether it's competing for the affections of men, or letting her body take centre stage over her talents, April must confront these barriers if she's truly going to make it. With a gripping storyline, concise comic timing and cleverly reworked pop songs, 'MediaWhore' is both humorous and thought provoking.

 

Venue: The Space, corner of Carlton and Little Chapel streets, Prahran
Dates: Wednesday 15 June – Friday 17 June,
Time: 7pm
Tickets: $37 full, $33 concession & groups of 6+, $29 for a festival friend pass holder
Bookings: http://www.melbournecabaret.com/mediawhore

Interview with Isabella Valette

Question: How would you describe your show, Mediawhore?

Isabella Valette: A satirical look at reality TV and celebrity culture, through one liners, character comedy, dance parody and reworked pop songs.


Question: Who is April Fools?

Isabella Valette: An entitled middle class white girl who has always been a high achiever. Just because she is now trying to be an oscar-winning actress doesn't mean it should be hard, right?? So she will do whatever it takes…


Question: What's the best thing about creating the character of April Fools?

Isabella Valette: Getting to buy into a whole lot of stuff I usually wouldn't.
Do you hate reality television?
Yep. But I love celebrity culture and social media, so I am just as bad.


Question: How is the audience involved in the show?

Isabella Valette: One lucky person will audition for a reality TV agency. Another lucky person will motorboat me. Urban dictionary it if you're unsure about what that is.


Question: How is this a "more interactive version of the show"?
Isabella Valette: In my first version of the show, the story played out before everyone's eyes in retrospect. Now it is happening in real time, so you have the chance to talk more directly to April, you can vote for her destiny, and also be sized up as to which reality show you'd be on.


Question: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Isabella Valette: I do lots of stretching. Anyone who's shared backstage with me would have spoken to me in downward facing dog.


Question: Who inspired your love of comedy?

Isabella Valette: Probably best friends during my school career. There was usually some other cheeky kid I'd latch onto and we'd cause havoc.


Interview by Brooke Hunter