Showing posts with label cabaret. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cabaret. Show all posts

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Review: Fever Pitch – The sultry story of Peggy Lee

This is the inaugural solo show for seasoned cabaret and burlesque performer, Camilla Cream. What a way to start a solo career!

From the moment she appears through the black drapes in her full length gown and flapper cloche hat and radiant smile Camilla Cream commands attention on stage. Opening with Fever Cream instantly has the audience in the palm of her hands as she warmly and enthusiastically enters into the audience encouraging them to become part of the show – even getting one woman to get up and dance with her.

Throughout the show Camilla’s honest and disarming style , and beautiful voice which is everything you want a jazz/cabaret performer to be keeps the audience singing and moving along with every song.

The show is a tribute to the life and music of one of the world’s truly great performers, Peggy Lee. The story starts at the end telly of Lee's death then works its way backwards through her career and personal life.  There are two costume changes during the one hour show. One of which occurs whilst Camilla is on stage – sort of. She goes behind the drapes to changes whilst regularly sticking head back through curtain to regales interesting and entertaining piece of Peggy Lee trivia.


Camilla Cream is definitely more comfortable and confident. when singing than she is during the spoken pieces in the show and opening night for a new show is nerve racking for even the most experienced performer. Having said that there is no reason she should be nervous presenting the monologues. Her chatty style is endearing and the witty side comments – both scripted and impromptu – garner many laughs from the audience.

Strictly a limited season, get your tickets now to ensure you do not miss this engaging and highly entertaining show.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Review: Mack The Knife - The Bobby Darin Story

In amongst the fervor of the comedy festival it can easily be forgotten that other live performances are continuing to be staged. Last night saw the opening of Mack the Knife – The Bobby Darin Story.

Upstairs in Speakeasy HQ’s Apollo Theatre, Melbourne’s newest live entertainment venue, Roy Malloy brings all of his years of experience as a performer to the fore as he presents what is surprisingly his first full length solo cabaret show.

Admittedly I did not really know who Bobby Darin was until Malloy started belting out his hits. Opening with Splish Splash and Dream Lover Malloy sets the scene as he pays tribute to Bobby Darin in story and song. The show is peppered with Darin’s classic songs and the favourite’s he covered in his Los Vegas shows. 

Malloy’s experience as a performer was on show as he easily engaged with the audience, with quick  and entertaining banter - none more than during his rendition of The Girl from Ipanema. Whilst not a comedy show, this song was hilarious.

Roy Malloy's voice has a huskiness to it which is perfect for the setting of a smoke filled (from a smoke machine) Vaudevillian room complete with velvet curtains and clamshell footlights. The 90 minute show is quality cabaret from beginning to end. For many in the audience the evening was a night of nostalgia of a music era now lost in a flood of digitally produced sounds and internet sensations.

The crowd of all ages lapped it all up singing along, dancing in their seats, and enthusiastically applauding throughout the show. Many audience members opted to join Roy Malloy on stage after the show for a few photographs.


For performance times and tickets visit http://speakeasy-hq.com/