Im Cabaret, au Cabaret, to Cabaret

Last night I attended The London Cabaret Awards, an annual event that focuses on the myriad of alternative cabaret acts that make up the core of London’s light entertainment scene. While I do attend a great deal of cabaret in London and indeed covered the London Festival Of Cabaret last year for The Stage and Musical Theatre Review, I wouldn’t say that I was conversant with the alternative scene. This said, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of friends old and new who were present at the Lost Theatre last night and how many of the acts I had already seen and enjoyed.

It was a colourful affair, as you might expect and full of the glamour and grotesquerie that make up the scene liberally sprinkled with the movers and shakers who run venues and book acts. Chief among these is the organiser of the event Paul L Martin who, as well as performing himself, runs the entertainment agency Excess All Areas. I have known Paul for a few years now, notably reviewing him in Ruthless at the Stratford Circus (a gazillion years ago!) where he played the theatrical agent Sylvia St.Croix. Since then our paths have crossed several times on the theatre scene and of course he is responsible for the highly successful Battersea Barge pantomimes. In fact I still credit him with the funniest panto title to date – Snow White & The Seven Signs Of Ageing.

Aside from all this Paul is the MD of Excess All Areas and the company go to great pains to elect a mixed judging panel each year to populate a list of nominees for the awards. The judges this year were promoter and producer Catia Ciarico, producer James Seabright, performer and programmer Jillian George-Lewis, cabaret director Klare Wilkinson and club designer Norman Gosney. The host for the event was the wonderfully subversive Myra Dubois, Rotherham’s least celebrated daughter and the evening featured performances from The Dream Bears featuring the adorable Luke Power, contortionist The Tom Show, The Original Street Dancers and the lovely singer/songwriter Tamar Broadbent.

The awards were presented by, among others Adele Anderson, Samuel Cairnduff and the enchanting Barb Jungr, looking fabulous in a striking new red dress! As to the winners, there were several names I knew in the shortlist and a few of the winners too. For the complete nominations check out the awards website but below is the complete list of winners.

Best Vocal Act – Lady Rizo

Best Musical Variety Act – Adam Kay

Best Drag Act – La Voix

Best Host – Benjamin Louche

Best Burlesque Act – Kitty Bang Bang

Best Speciality Act – The Boy With Tape On His Face

Best Alternative Performer – Duo Bogof

Best Newcomer – Tina T’urner Tea Lady

Best Production – Black Cat Cabaret

Best Circus Act – Jess Love

Best Cabaret Venue – Soho Downstairs

Audience Award – Jayde Adams

Outstanding Achievement AwarJd – Jo King

Unsung Hero Award – Gay Bingo at the Empire

Other familiar faces at the event were journalists Adrian and Liz Arratoon, pianist extraordinaire Michael Roulston cabaret performer David Hoyle and Chris Dennis (the glorious winner LaVoix) plus of course Mark Magill and the team who run The Lost Theatre.

Colour, comedy and even the occasional spot of political satire, the London Cabaret Awards are worth their weight in gold. A hugely entertaining night out that will hopefully continue from strength to strength, truly reflecting the diversity and talent on offer in the capital.

Talent Spotting In Soho

I nearly went to the Archer Street Cocktail Bar a couple of years ago, when Andrew Keates had organised his Black & White birthday party there. Unfortunately on the day, the relatively new venue had had a complete power cut and I never got to see inside. So when I was asked to sit on the panel of judges for the Archer Street's Got Talent contest, I couldn't wait to get a good look at the place. Whisking my friend Anna away from filming in Chelsea, we slipped into the trendy cocktail bar for the opening night of the competition to check out the format, the judges and naturally the first round of contestants.

Currently decked out in a selection of fur throws, there are elements of the ski lodge about this subterranean bar but according to owner Siobhan Magill, this is a remnant of the winter season. The space is apparently decorated to suit different themes throughout the year. It's not just the décor however that sets this bar apart, as one of the biggest attractions are the staff - a young, lively bunch who burst into song at will. It may be a gimmick but it's one that pays off and apparently auditions for bar-staff are hotly contested. Lets face it, with the clientèle this popular venue is likely to attract, what better way for a hopeful to be talent spotted?

The talent on show this evening came from all over the UK to take part in a competition, which hopes to find the 'Voice Of Soho' - although it's not simply a title on offer, but a weighty check for £5000 for the winner. This first heat - there are nine in total - threw up a mix of uber-talented vocalists and musicians but it was Rozzy Turner, singing her own individual arrangement of LMFAO's Sexy And I Know It who got the judges vote. I couldn't help but agree with them as Rozzy's sense of confidence, quirky style and vocal technique were particularly strong.  

The judges on this first evening were the star of We Will Rock You Brenda Edwards, Senior Executive Radio Producer/Editor Mike Hanson, Award Winning International and West End Theatre Director whose recent work includes Olivier nominated Loserville, Steven Dexter and lastly, 23 year old Media mogul, Founder and CEO of SBTV music Broadcasting Company, Jamal Edwards. There are eight weeks of heats - Tuesday nights - and the grand finale is due to take place on April 15

I am sitting on the judging panel on March 11 and I have to say that I find it quite exciting. Aside from the fact that this is a great new bar to hang out in - a mix of theatre peeps and meeja types - it is also a place I used to spend far too much time in many years ago. In a previous incarnation, the Archer Street Cocktail Bar was Barcode Soho - happy memories of some very late nights.

Think Of A Number

Found this picture online and I thought I'd share. It was taken whilst filming Judi Dench's Moulin Rouge number from the movie Nine. Stood amidst the dancers is director Rob Marshall, who is currently directing Into The Woods. Sean made all the head-dresses and tails for this scene. God knows how they fitted in his workshop?