MacKinnon: “As you came off Majoribanks Street a huge mosaic inspired by the Jimmie Rodgers song ‘Woman From Liberia’ greeted you. Inside, Marie had created the nearest New Zealand had to a bohemian French café. A hubbub of conversation and thick smoke filled the air. With no room for a stage, musicians perched on tables, armrests, anywhere you could squeeze in really. There was no separation between audience and performer. Marie was a larger than life character who lorded it over her domain, employing a team of attractive, smart waitresses and not stepping back if trouble brewed. If Marie felt the noise was drowning out the music a sharp retort of ‘shut-up – he’s singing’ cut the air.”
HMV