The Parisian institution will close its doors for the season on July 1 after one last show. Its future depends on a decision by the commercial court to be rendered at the end of July.
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 Catherine Catty-Jacquart told AFP on Saturday. .
The cabaret, which generally only closed in August, brought forward its summer closure this year to July 1, after a final dinner show. “The cabaret is in trouble. We live from day to day. Reservations are not filling up for July despite the announcement of the Olympic Games.“, lamented Catherine Catty-Jacquart, citing the consequences of the Covid pandemic on activity, “strikes, demonstrations, parking problems, especially for coaches“.
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“, specified Catherine Catty-Jacquart, the niece of Michou, the founder of the place who died in early 2020.
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.
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.
