In difficulty, the famous Parisian transformist cabaret Chez Michou, a hotspot in Montmartre, may not reopen in September, after 68 years of activity and a possible last evening on Sunday, its manager said this Saturday.
The commercial court must rule on July 16 on whether or not to continue the activity. “I don’t know if the cabaret will reopen in September,” breathes Catherine Catty-Jacquart, the niece of Michou, the founder of the place who died in early 2020.
A historic place of transformism
“The cabaret is in difficulty. We live day by day. Reservations are not filling up for July despite the announcement of the Olympic Games,” laments Catherine Catty-Jacquart, citing the consequences of the Covid pandemic on activity, “strikes, demonstrations, parking problems, especially for the coaches”.
Chez Michou employs 23 people, including artists and front of house, kitchen and reception staff. A Mecca of transformism and the smallest cabaret in Paris, its extravagant transvestites imitate Sylvie Vartan, Johnny Hallyday or Dalida. The cabaret, which generally only closed in August, brought forward its summer closure this year to July 1, after a final dinner show.
“We receive a lot of love”
“The Michou cabaret is a big family. We stick together as much as we can, but we feel a lot of bitterness. We receive a lot of love from our customers, but the situation is serious. I am fighting for my “Michettes”. The cabaret created by my uncle is at the origin of the drag artists,” emphasizes Catherine Catty-Jacquart.
Drag queen shows and transvestite shows have seen a resurgence of interest in recent years, driven by establishments that have been able to target a younger, trendy audience, such as Madame Arthur, also located in Montmartre, but this momentum has not benefited Chez Michou.
