Review: Cabaret All Stars Ft Kerry Ellis, Proud Cabaret
Photo credit: Ian Bowkett
My weekend was kickstarted with a bang on Friday evening when I had the absolute pleasure of attending Proud Cabaret’s CABARET ALL STARS FT KERRY ELLIS and I was so blown away by the evening… So much so, that it’s now Monday and I still feel windswept in the most wonderful of ways!
Where to begin?! Even as you walk into the venue, your jaw drops to the floor. The lush layout and dimly lit decor instantly transports you back in time. Once you finally adapt to the divine aesthetic of the venue, you are then met by members of serving staff; each and every one dressed to the nines. Let’s face it, they ALL could have been the star of the show we were about to see!
Once seated at your table for the evening, you are drawn in by the velvety smooth vocal tones of singer, Jack Feureisen. My guest and I had bubbly poured for us as we both examined the venue (like we had choreographed it) before looking at each other and mouthing “wow!” We knew at that point that we were about to experience something special and of course, we were not disappointed.
I could write a novel about everything I enjoyed about the evening, mainly because there was only one thing that I didn’t enjoy… having to go home afterwards! You are spoilt in epic fashion by the world class acts performing on stage. We witnessed awe-inspiring aerial work, mind-boggling sword swallowing and breathtaking burlesque that would make even the most sluggish heart race!
A personal highlight was “Pi the Mime”, an absolute colossus of cabaret, strutting around the stage and playing the world’s smallest piano, thoroughly engaging the audience from start to finish. The fire acts who performed throughout the night were mesmerising and left us wondering whether we were truly at a cabaret or in the world of Harry Potter, because what those daredevil performers can do with fire is nothing short of magical!
These acts are headliners in their own right but as a musical theatre superfan, nothing could beat the moment that the majestic Queen of Musical Theatre herself, Kerry Ellis, slowly walked down the stairs singing ‘I Who Have Nothing’. There is no doubt Ellis is a living legend in the industry but to hear her belting out Shirley Bassey with a faultless vocal, mere inches away from me, was a musical experience like no other.
Also adding to the experience was the magnificent food provided. Impeccable service was given by every member of staff with so much attention to detail. It made it abundantly clear to me that you will struggle to find a better team in London than those behind the scenes at Proud Cabaret.
Proud Cabaret delivered such a flawless evening of entertainment that I couldn’t help but feel somewhat melancholy the next day. I thought to myself, how can anything top that?! Truly a night to remember. The show was enchanting and utterly enthralling. The experience as a whole deserves every star in the night sky.
To book tickets, please click here.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by James Edge
