Review: LA VOIX - RED AMBITION, Lyric Theatre
On the eve of La Voix’s opening performance of the Red Ambition tour, the tour van was stolen leaving the show hanging uncertain. The loss of costumes, equipment and instruments would have meant a damning fate for this tour. Fortunately, the van and most of its contents were recovered and, even more fortunately for those of us who’ve seen it, the show could go on. As one of the lucky ones who got to spend a night with La Voix, it’s clear why her audiences return year after year.
La Voix frames this show as a dedication to diva comebacks, referencing the return of her equipment. But to do so is a disservice to what this really is, a night of enjoying the many talents of the unique and brilliant La Voix. Where else could you see one performer give you laugh out loud stand-up comedy that can compete with the greats and have you transfixed by their performance in musical numbers?
Coming out dressed to the nines in bright yellow to a disco pop soundtrack, we immediately expect a campy night of fun, which is delivered, yet La Voix shows us she is a true entertainer. While she looks utterly fabulous to boot it’s clear, even without the glamorous look and impressively high heels, that she can command a stage.
The Red Ambition tour combines all the ‘best bits for adults’ in panto into a campy cabaret. Its premise and highlight is its ability to create a storyline that ties standup into flamboyant musical numbers. La Voix’s comedy content is a superb mixture of prepared sets and jibes at individuals in the theatre’s front rows. She works the audience with ease, making fun of long-term fans and newbies alike in a baiting yet harmless way. Jokes about an ex-boyfriend or the audience’s age then masterfully turn into songs that have us itching to get up and dance.
La Voix’s onstage band of four adds a satisfying sound to complement her powerful voice and it’s a delight to see how much they appear to enjoy the show just as much as we are. Complete with quick changes, impressions, backing dancers and audience participation, we’re treated to more than we could hope for from a touring one-woman show.
La Voix may look like a drag performer, but she is a singer, a comedian and an impressionist first. She goes above and beyond in this performance, leaving us with one single criticism… that the show wasn’t longer!
A night of joyous escapism from a master of show(wo)manship.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Cat Hancock
La Voix’s Red Ambition tour continues to tour until July 2024, with further information here.