On Tuesday I went to the opening night of Infinite Variety at the New Players Theatre under the arches at Charing Cross. I have a long standing affection for this venue but unfortunately I have not yet seen a show there, suited to its size and shape. The Players is a relatively small auditorium at 275 seats, but it has an impressive stage and good appointments. The long slender auditorium, complete with its bar at the back has bags of atmosphere but requires brash, showy, bawdy production values to fill the space. Last year’s Burlesque-esque was simply laughable and much was expected of Blokbusta earlier this year, although that too failed to impress. The problem doesn’t so much lie with the shows, the Front of House is also a disaster with the bar staff being outrageously slow – stupifyingly so.
Still I went along to Infinite Variety, a new burlesque mounted by the Whoopee with high hopes. If it was possible to get a professional production any more wrong then I would like to see how. The pre-show drinks at the back bar were generous and yet un-monitored. The PR didn’t network guests and reviewer and whilst Scott and I munched on the nibbles, the stage crew continued to adjust lights and sound in full view of the incoming audience. At this press night, half the seats were empty. For future reference, as any PR knows, you ensure that a venue is overflowing on a Press Night. You create excitement! This was a damp squib that didn’t improve once the show opened, as you will see from my review. Honestly – no talent, masquerading as talent can be monumentally depressing. Please God, let a producer with flair and imagination take over the New Players.
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