Missy Malone's Halloween Burlesque Revue

For once, the night was not sold out, and there were considerably less exotic and erotic costumes amongst the audience. The stage was minimally set, as always, and the entrance soundtrack was full of classic spooky tunes. Compère Dusty Limits was funny at times, touching on tragedy as well as biting comments as befits the decadent cabaret performer, but his material is on occasion dated and also not quite risqué enough, and his songs often gleaned from other songwriters albeit some of the best Toms ever, Lehrer and Waits. The first half of the show started with a Burlesque performance from Missy herself. Local lady Daisy Black's stunning and talented hula hoop work was up next and the delicious Eliza Delite's innovative Turkish Delight dance followed. Tap dancer and comedy singer Josephine Shaker did not really rouse the audience at all with either of her turns.

After the interval, we enjoyed another dance from Eliza Delite, sexpot extreme - she really is a talent, with her timing spot on and her outfits lovely. The spot of the night though went to The Lion Of London, also known as Mr Moustache, a Victorian strong man and gentleman who could bend steel and smash a watermelon in with his head. His antics were impressive for sure, but the best thing about his act was the fun he was clearly having himself. The laughter filled the hall the whole way through his piece. 

Overall, there was less sparkle, less ghoulishness and less excitement this evening - I felt that if the stage had been more fully decorated, the acts more Halloweeny and enthusiastic and the effort made by all just 10% more, we all would really have enjoyed ourselves more. Maybe have a revamp for next year, all you beautiful vamps?