Voice artist and radio presenter Steph Teitelbaum takes her audience on a musical trek towards self-acceptance in Wet Cement. Her first show in the world of cabaret is both cynically comical and lyrically lustrous.

Following the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance), Teitelbaum closely analyses the reasons for her disappointment with life and why everything that she does is “half-arsed”. Between these moments of “free therapy”, she breaks out into popular songs which reflect each of these stages, such as Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy and Ella James’ At Last.

However, Teitelbaum is anything but morose, her presence on stage is electrifying and brimming with wit. At the same time, her voice possesses this strained and husky tone that tells her story with authenticity. Her sudden changes from manic aggression to sadness to indifference as she comes to terms with herself throughout the show are appropriately exaggerated through the chosen songs, as well as her darkly disillusioned perspective of the world. In one particular song, she even plays a drum kit in rage.

Teitelbaum places herself valiantly on the chopping block when it comes to providing laughs. She is accompanied by a pianist, who also acts as a sort of omniscient narrator, occasionally breaks the fourth wall to bicker with her. In a cosy room in Melbourne, Teitelbaum makes the audience feel comfortable to share in her self-inspection.

Teitelbaum is instantly relatable and likeable. Wet Cement is never a disappointment, it is a commendable first show for a budding artist and a delightful night out with laughs, drinks and songs aplenty.

Wet Cement is on at Tuxedo Cat, 293-299 La Trobe Street, Melbourne from 24 September – 3 October at 8:30pm. For more information or to book tickets, please visit the Melbourne Fringe website or call the ticketing team on 9660 9666.