Gossamer Threads Curious Cabaret @ Norwich Playhouse
Variety is the spice of life
Well, well, well, where do I begin?! This show was the living, breathing, twirling, sparkling embodiment of entertainment. I was absolutely captivated from the moment Lily La Scala, our drop dead gorgeous host for the evening, strutted on stage in killer stilettos and a red sequinned dress with a split all the way up to her hip that flattered the most perfect pair of pins I have ever laid my damn eyes on! Not only was she exquisitely beautiful with the ultimate stage presence, her voice was that of a vintage operatic jazz star. I have never heard a voice as powerful as hers in a live and intimate venue; her version of Alice Cooper’s Poison was simply spinetingling!
The Curious Cabaret was made up of five different performers, all experts in their field and all equally talented, diverse and mesmerising. The variety, professionalism and attention to detail was incredible.
Alex McAleer took care of all things mysterious and mind bending. Controlling the minds of random members of the audience, influencing answers, guessing their deepest darkest secrets; all of which was carried off with an excellent dry wit and a dashing smile.
Daisy Black was next to the stage with her glow in the dark rainbow hoops. All four of them. At once. One on each limb. At great speed! It was a feast for the eyes to see her body move with such grace, precision and control. As for her aerial hoop display; the crowd were gasping and wincing as she upped the ante with each movement. By the time she finished she was holding her entire body weight eight feet in the air with the back of her neck!
I have always admired burlesque dancers for their confidence and sass. Lena Mae was no exception to this, with her sparkles, feathers and heart shaped nipple tassels that worked the crowd up into a frenzy! I lost my shit completely when she grabbed a champagne bottle in the final moments, dropped to her knees and tipped the entire contents over her semi naked awesomeness! Only it wasn’t cheap fizz at all, it a bottle full of glitter! Humorously dubbed by Lily La Scala as “the herpes of cabaret, you will never get rid of that!”
It is difficult to describe The Boy With Tape On His Face to anyone who hasn’t seen him in the flesh; he is like a new age clown-zombie-mime with a Mary Poppins style bag of tricks and a brilliant soundtrack. His act was totally unique, entrancing and out and out bizarre! I can’t wait to see him in September back at the Playhouse as a headline act.
I am sure that the fine people of Norwich will agree that we were certainly given a Friday night to remember! They say that variety is the spice of life and Gossamer Threads prove this to be the case as they bring the art of cabaret and variety show back with a vengeance from 1816 to 2016.
10/10
