Lili La Scala’s performance was key to the success of Black Cat Cabaret – Nocturne at the Spiegeltent, London Wonderground at the Southbank Centre
Black Cat Cabaret – Nocturne is being performed on selected Fridays until 11 September at the Spiegeltent, London Wonderground at the Southbank Centre.
Star rating: 4 stars ★ ★ ★ ★
Having, as they say, ‘rolled up, rolled up’ for an evening of entertainment under the Spiegeltent on the Southbank, this production being part of the impressively diverse Wonderground 2015 season, a bit of a damper was put on proceedings, not just by a sound check delay of around 30 minutes, but also as the result of being shepherded outside by security staff totally devoid of any tact or even basic pleasantness.
Such things, of course, can almost spoil a night out, but thankfully, once seated, that initial aggravation proved totally worthwhile. The tag ‘burlesque’, has been used to cover a multitude of performance sins over the years with the vehicle of flimsy female attire masking a lack of genuine creative merit.
That’s not an accusation that can be leveled at this fascinating, hugely entertaining and sexually-charged production. Key to this Black Cat Cabaret company success is the marvellously naughty, supremely talented soprano, Lili La Scala, who struts around, shooting poisonous and comical asides out towards audience members, and almost lifts the canvas roof off with her superb, full-on vocals.
Playing an unsleeping queen of the night who guides us on a supernatural voyage, which starts on a mundane tube journey, this weaves through alternate nightmare and dream-laden scenarios.
Drawing inspiration from Freudian dream archetypes, Nocturne, says the publicity, is infused with an original score interspersed with rediscovered musical gems spanning varied eras and genres. It’s fabulous, for example, to hear La Scala belting out the rarely heard ‘Female of the Species’ in Act II, a number whose lyrics suits her devilish demeanour perfectly.
Added to the fascinatingly bizarre and entertaining mix are performances from aerial daredevil Bret Pfister, hand-to-hand acrobatic duo Nathan and Isis, plus fire performer, contortionist and aerialist Katrina Lilwall, an almost impossibly erotic and captivating performer.
Then there’s comic, actress and singer Amy G. The embarrassment of a dad dancing at weddings has got nothing on her constantly tipsy, roller-skating, chain-smoking character and mother to the main male protagonist. Sit in the front row at your peril and on this evidence alone, her solo show, Entershamement, must be an absolute riot.
Dance trio Cabaret Rouge supplies immaculately choreographed support while musical director, Michael Roulston, creates the perfect score for the weird, creative melting pot conjured up. This is macabre burlesque at its very best.
Derek Smith
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.