Blue’s Duncan James and ‘naughty’ Dick Whittington retelling feature in Above the Stag Theatre’s winter programme
Photo credit: Above the Stag
London’s Above the Stag Theatre has unveiled a new cabaret series of musical theatre, LGBTQIA+ poetry, comedy and drag.
The “Cabaret Lounge” season kicks off with brilliant comedy Buyer & Cellar, starring Aaron Sidwell, which runs until 8 November. The story follows an out-of-work actor who ends up working in Barbra Streisand’s legendary street of shops beneath her Malibu home. Directed by Jonathan Tolins, this Broadway and West End smash is described as “hilarious, bitchy and exuberant.”
Meanwhile tickets are still on sale for “The Big Fat Musical Quiz” on 15 November. “Bubble teams” will be tested on everything from Sondheim to Schwartz, with prizes ranging from a packet of peanuts to £100.
Also taking to the stage in October is Olivier Award-winning actor Janie Dee, as part of the “5 O'Clock” event. Joined by radio presenter Tim McArthur, she will lift the curtain on the world of theatre, with a wealth of backstage stories and anecdotes from her years in the business. To take part in the conversation and ask her a question, email tim.mcarthur@abovethestag.org.uk.
Cabaret Lounge continues with the Inkandescent and Untitled BOLD Queer Poetry night on 29 October with Nathan Evans, Sophia Blackwell, Ollie Charles and Shiri Shah.
Then on 31 October, expect a night of Halloween wickedness with “Sinful Songs and Monstrous Musicals: A Spooky Cabaret.” Kieran Brown and Tim McArthur bring the spookiness, along with musical maestro Ben Papworth and special guests Sooz Kempner and Nikki Gerrard.
Next month Cabaret Lounge continues with “Duncan & Tim's Big Camp Night Out” on 6 November. Blue singer Duncan James, whose acting credits include Rocky Horror Show and Hollyoaks, joins Tim McArthur for a “big old camp night out.” Expect singing, chat, high camp and maybe even a spot of drag, with musical direction from Ben Papworth.
And finally, last but not least in the Cabaret Lounge series is Dick Whittington - A New Dick in Town! Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper’s fabulously naughty pantomime runs from 17 November - 10 January 2021. Directed by Andrew Beckett, with design by David Shields, this socially distanced production is a critically acclaimed retelling of the original panto. Billed as a “rude, riotous and romantic adventure” with a “cornucopia of dick jokes”, the show is guaranteed to ease those winter blues.
Set in the heart of Vauxhall, Above the Stag Theatre puts LGBTQIA+ front and centre in its year-round offering of plays, musicals, cabaret, readings, comedy and other entertainment.
For the full run of all Cabaret Lounge dates, information and tickets, please click here.
