Pursuing Pleasure

Opera singer turned curvaceous cabaret cantatrice Piera Dennerstein (Finucane & Smith, ‘Blue is the Colour’ Midsumma 2022) shares the intimate truths of her body and mind in this sexy, silly and deeply human solo show. Using the exceptional versatility of her voice in everything from Puccini to Cardi B, Piera tells the story of her experiences forming her values and beliefs as she recovered from the toxicity of the opera industry and domestic abuse. With dramaturgy by Melbourne Fringe Living Legend Moira Finucane, this show aims to provide those who have survived rejection and oppression an opportunity to feel seen, find hope, and have a much-deserved giggle.

"Piera Dennersteins vocal capacity ... is extraordinary" — STAGE WHISPERS

"highly skilled… powerhouse soprano"— ARTSHUB

'In a work of truly sublime proportions, Dennerstein's soprano soars into the heavens"— WHAT DID SHE THINK

"Unforgettable"— WHAT'S THE SHOW 

Presented by Piera Dennerstein

Following a decade of operatic training and performance both nationally and internationally, Piera ‘ran away and joined the circus’ in 2018 when she commenced her tenure as a principal artist with premiere cabaret company, Finucane & Smith. From there, Piera has used the versatility of her voice and professional experience to blur the boundary between high and low art everywhere from rural China to Kalgoorlie. Piera is also an award-winning writer and poet and has MCed extensively throughout a variety of performing artforms. For Midsumma 2022, Piera presented Blue is the colour: a musical and ethnomusicological exploration into jazz and blues and its enormous influence on music today, with associate artist Pamela Christie.