Review: WEST SIDE CABARET STORY, Proud Embankment
In the bowels of Waterloo Bridge lies Proud Embankment, a cabaret venue brought to us by theatrical entrepreneur Alex Proud. A sultry lit den where the burlesque and the circus come to life before your eyes amidst a 3-5 course dining experience. Proud Cabaret has been known for their high octane shows and as a key player in ensuring that live entertainment thrived during and through the aftershocks of the pandemic. So, does their latest delivery of West Side Cabaret Story live up to their reputation for envelope pushing cabaret?
The show features a storyline inspired by the hit musical West Side Story, a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, centring on two star crossed lovers from opposing warring gangs. Proud have taken this theme and presented it as a war between the burlesque and the butch, with the audience watching the love story unfold in front of them through dance, song, aerial, fire, and circus. What’s undeniable about West Side Cabaret Story is the talent sourced for the stage. Proud have put together a veritable feast of performers that prove in and of themselves that the live entertainment industry is worth every investment going.
Opening the evening is vocalist Lynx Luhrmann, a Spring 2022 arrival at Proud, Lynx displays powerhouse vocals throughout her sets during the night, providing a sumptuous ambience for every interval: perfectly elevating each dining course with her showmanship and vocal pyrotechnics. Luhrmann displays a strong connection with audience and sung text throughout the evening that always make for a captivating cabaret experience.
The role of MC for the show was taken on by Ukrainian refugee Sofia Pavlichenko. Her enigmatic stage presence and killer vocals carry us through the evening, wowing at every opportunity and never allowing room for anything other than expertly carrying us in the palm of her hand.
The star-crossed roles of Tony and Maria are played by Shade Flamewater and Lady Lydia respectively. Flamewater, an illusionist and fire-eater by trade, provides hair-raising moments of spectacle, setting alight various parts of his and Lady Lydia’s bodies during their performance. Lady Lydia also dazzles with her flexible aerial ring routine six feet above the stage. The chemistry between the two is palpable and believable as the lovers of our tale. Epic high-flying entertainment also comes with Klodi & Yann and their hand balance combination (not to mention Klodi’s impressive use of the Cyr Wheel), and Emily Winter’s virtuosic hair hanging act, whilst accompanying herself on the violin is simply jaw dropping. The evening’s exceptional performances are supported by the choreography and curation of in-house Burlesque artist and show producer, Jessicats.
West Side Cabaret Story certainly visually wows, however, aside from its clever combination of songs from the show and modern hits, at the core, its incoherent storyline line lets it down a little. It feels like a cabaret performance-off between two dance groups rather than a cabaret set in a specific time and place with a structured narrative. Unfortunately, they just fall short of really hitting a home run. On a positive note, the calibre of burlesque and cabaret talent that Proud provides is so high octane and sensually charged that the show can stand on its own two feet without the need for a through line.
What has always been at the heart of Proud is its celebration of gender expression and the showcasing of acts that thrive outside the gender binary, of which no other mediums can do quite like that of burlesque. Each night is a rotating door of various combinations of exceptional performers, however, the show we watched, it just seemed a shame that the gangs were somewhat stereotypical in the fact that team butch consisted of muscled male performers and team burlesque of slender showgirls. Especially with the poster for the show promoting it as a cabaret of genderqueer euphoria, it would have just elevated the show had that been reflected in the body of the gangs.
Proud Embankment is at the forefront of providing high quality cabaret entertainment in the heart of London’s West End. On top of giving you an unmissable show; they pair it with a dining and beverage experience that sends your tastebuds into overdrive with unwavering and attentive customer service. If you’re in need of a sophisticated night out to ensnare the senses slip into a nice outfit, head down to Waterloo Bridge and give in to your desires.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Duncan Burt
To book tickets for West Side Cabaret Story, please click here.
