Zinger Of The Week: Terror Season @ Soho Theatre
How is it Halloween already? Weren't we sunbathing a few weeks ago? Soho Theatre kick off this year's Terror Season this Wednesday with a cabaret cast guaranteed to scare off the competition. Host Desmond O'Connor will be trying out new songs as will Sarah-Louise Young (who appeared at Southwark Playhouse's Halloween shows last year). Other acts taking part include award-winning drag king Fancy Chance, commie crooners East End Cabaret and alt-dragster Jonny Woo.
Monday's Zingers
If you only have time this week for one blisteringly funny bisexual buster of taboos, make a beeline for American comedian/singer Margaret Cho's one-off show at the Leicester Square Theatre where she may let you in on what happens on lesbian cruises.
Richard Strange's monthly showcase of the weird and wonderful Cabaret Futura is back tonight at Kensal Green's The Paradise with Jimmy Chewy Huang and Soul-TANA.
Check out some downstairs Dutch drag debut action as CellarDoor will be breaking in new recruit Vanilla Lush at free-entry evening Life's A Drag. Go gentle.
Tuesday's Zingers
Ex-South Londoner and rather fine singer Phillip Jeays can be found on the Battersea Barge tonight. He's escaped a Marc Bolanesque fate, wowed the crowd at Edinburgh and will be performing songs from his recent album London (great title, that) with assistance from the ubiquitous Dusty Limits.
CellarDoor institution Trash Tuesday invites all and sundry to their open mic night for musical singers of all hues. Whether you take the mike or the Michael, it sounds like there's much fun to be had.
Wednesday's Zingers
Amateur Rembrandts may want to pop into this month’s Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School at the RVT to see if there is still life in their drawing skills and lead in their pencil. Materials are provided including paper and inspiration care of a number of burlesque beauties with some fine entertainment mixed in throughout the evening.
Velma Celli – bad Italian food pun or drag queen with a difference? Rock up to the Brickhouse tonight to see Ian Stroughair’s altered ego and her Screaming Queenz and make up your own mind. We can’t do everything for you.
There’s an Office Party to end all office parties at the Pleasance presented by Duckie vet Christopher Green (aka Ida Barr aka Tina C) and La Clique’s Ursula Martinez. We previewed it here.
Thursday's Zingers
Alp Haydar went down a storm with his last show Flight 666 To Bermuda, a pantomime about a man caught between his mother and the attentions of a dashing terrorist called Mohammed. He continues the story with his Erotic Adventures in Atlantis as he and his Jihadist beau explore a mysterious island. We’re picturing a gay Lost with better acting and an ending which makes sense. Want to be intrigued a little more? Here's a teaser trailer.
The dark and delicious Double R Club is back with more Lynchian cabaret at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club. Benjamin Louche (pictured above) hosts an evening of surreal delights including East End Cabaret, Ryan Styles and Tom Baker. Just don't mention Dune.
If art is more your thing, head down to Bardens Cafe for the opening night of Schism: Group Exhibition and Alternative Performance, an exhibition which, much like This Is...Circus earlier this month, explores elements of modern cabaret through artwork, music and live performance from burlesquer and costume designer Marnie Scarlet. The exhibition will be around for approximately four weeks.
Friday's Zingers
Downstairs Soho Theatre is fast becoming the place to be for hot musical cabaret acts. We've already seen David Hoyle do his first all-singing (albeit no dancing) show there as well as Bourgeois and Maurice rocking out. Its the turn of Pistol n Jack with their clever and colourful Edinburgh Fringe show SMASH*GLAM*SEX*MUSIC which combines character comedy with inspired mashups.
Bar Wotever bring The Seeing Red project back to the RVT to further explore the ins and outs of menstruation. "It’s about recognising and reclaiming the beauty and eroticism in the accidental stain, the purposeful stain and the intimacy of blood." More information here.
Its the end of an era as The Forgery Club bids a tearful adieu to its erstwhile subterranean home, Great Portland Street's Lowdown At The Albany. Death To The Forgery Club will be a night of trademark character comedy flitting between cabaret and standup; past comperes have included Frank Sanazi and the Moonfish Rhumba. This last show will feature at least eight acts including Nathaniel Tapley, Rachel Stubbins and The Scott Brothers. But is this the end of the club or is there a new beginning elsewhere?
And if you want to let off some steam via the medium of song, we suggest heading up the Victoria Line to Cabaraoke at The Orford House Club, E17. You can step behind the mic and let loose on numbers from the 20s through to the or watch uke queen Tricity Vogue and The All Stars Band show how its done. Choices, choices...
Saturday's Zingers
“Take Paris in the Spring, or New York in the fall, you can leave them behind for the best of them all. There’s no place like London”. Darrie Gardner's Angels Dining At The Ritz celebrates the greatest city in the world at the Leicester Square Theatre through songs, comedy and dance.
Sunday's Zingers
The Cheek Of It!'s season goes out with a bang at Madame Jojo's as Lady Cheek & co. showcase a tornado of tassel-twirling care of Tabitha Taboo, Minxie Mayhem and many more.
She'll be part of the Soho Theatre's Terror Season which starts on Wednesday but you can see Sarah-Louise Young now, discussing the English language...
