LA GOULUE'S CAN CAN INFLUENCED ZIDLER

 

                                     Photo : Maria Felix in « French Can Can »

Zidler had to do something about it. And he did! He separated the girls from the customers which made them furious! Reportedly, one of the customers got so mad, so mad to a point where he confronted Zidler and broke two bottles of wine over his head!

 

Grille d'Égout, one of the public’s favorite stars, Camélia nicknamed « Trompe-la-Mort », La Glue, Galipette, Cri-Cri, Muguet la Limonière, Lili-Jambes-en-l'air,Vol-au-Vent, Nini-Pattes-en-l'air, Môme Fromage, Églantine, Vénus de Bastringue, Rayon d'or, Demi-Siphon (who died on stage while spreading wide her legs in order to perform the « grand écart «  form required in Can Can),  Jeanne Faes who died as well for the same reason, Cascadienne, Jane Avril (The Can Can Queen), Sauterelle (The Intellectual), Cléôpatre, Cha-U-Kaomicknamed the “clownesse”, Pâquerette, Torpille, Gavrochinette and La Goulue a.k.a. the « scandaleuse » brought an international fame to the Moulin Rouge. Le Moulin Rouge was not always a clean place. The stage, the mezzanine and the passages between seats, where the dancers used to perform and where the public was dispersed became filthy, muggy and greasy. After a few acrobatic maneuvers of the dancers, their “jupons” (skirts) became dirty and stained, some were ripped off to the great elight of the public.

In 1900, everything changed. Sure, the girls were still there but, La Goulue was not ! She has already left Le Moulin Rouge some  five year earlier. Le Moulin Rouge calmed down, soon to exclusively become  tourists attraction. The famous « Quadrille » of La Gopulue and Jane Avril is now been performed somewhere else, at places like « Tabarin « , « Au Divan Japonais », « Ambassadeurs »,  and « Jardin de Paris ».  In 1914, at the beginning of world war one, Le Moulin Rouge closed its doors. In 1921, it reopened under a new management and under a new format with a different style and décor. And this is what we do currently see today at Le Moulin Rouge. The 1914 sumptuous, elegant and most magnificent French Cabaret. Probably, the most beautiful Cabaret in the world!  Unfortunately, today, almost every aspect of the old and traditional La Goulue's Parisian Cabarets has changed. The narrative style of their attractions has changed…the menu of food and drinks had changed…the faces of the waiters, managers and personnel have changed…the looks of the dancing girls have changed…the role of the dancing girls and actresses has changed…the make-up of the performers and singers has changed…the style and character of the dancing girls, acrobats and magicians have changed…even the outfits, skirts and jupons of the dancing girls have changed…even what you hear in those places have changed; before, it was the poetry and prose of Parisian poets and artists, now you hear: “Yes, Yes, we take Dollars.”, or “But of course, sir, you can pay in Dollars…we love the United States”. Give me a break! Zut alors! Sacre Bleu !! Nowadays, it is glamour, flashy lights, neon, electronic boom boom and laser beams spotting the performers, and nothing anymore chocks the Parisian society, except good American folks and young adults at those fancy Parisian cabarets, wearing blue jeans, T shirts and asking the waiter to bring them ketch up for their $50.00 Filet Mignon or  Steak Tartare! But, the French are neither chocked or reluctant to take their Dollars!!

 

 

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