Ironically, it appears to be the Whingers who are becoming the real cabaret whores.
Rather than taking a chance on potentially dreary plays we have been judiciously selecting shows on the basis of our “Likely Fun Index”, a rather complicated algorithm devised and patented by the Whingers to take the risk out of theatre-going.
And it seems that our new tool for seeking out entertainments and being, well, entertained is paying off.
We are indeed being well entertained by entertaining entertainments and having fun.
Sarah-Louise Young, who is currently 33.3 (recurring) % of the fabulous Fascinating Aida is certainly working her arse off on the fringe. This hour long show Cabaret Whore: More! More! More! sees her playing a series of four divas (some generic, others cheekily based closely on real-life ones) before shooting off to join FA at another venue a mere 45 minutes later.
With barely a night off and a month of two shows to perform you really do wonder why some performers in the West End who may only have a few big numbers per show can’t manage eight shows a week. You know who you are.
We enter the auditorium and are individually and hilariously greeted by Young in character as Bernie St. Claire (blonde but not a lisping stone’s throw from Liza) before seeing her set succeeded by the the other characters including her final one – a fabulously gloomy knife-wielding bitter French chanteuse called La Poule Plombée (the frumpy pigeon).
What’s even more impressive is that Young has written the material herself and not only is her performance remarkable but the material is laugh-out-loud funny. The pastiches of musical styles are spot on (composer Michael Roulston) while the show cleverly and subversively deconstructs the whole performer/audience relationship.
Rather brilliant.
Rating
A West End Whinger 