We’ve all felt it; experienced it; known it…right? That feeling you get when your eyes meet across a crowded room. The tingle on the back of the neck when someone gets a little to close. Sexual tension. Well now EastEnd Cabaret have transferred those feelings on to the Soho Theatre stage and want to make you the object of their affections.
Bovarian diva, Bernadette Byrne and her genderly confused sidekick, Victor Victoria bring you an evening of unashamedly filthy musical comedy that aims to relieve you of any sexual tension, but in fact creates more. Thinking you’re safe sitting in a darkened auditorium is pointless as Bernie will literally climb through the audience to claim her next victim, with Victy chained to his/her keyboard, shouting profanities at any man Bernie touches.
They actively encourage audience participation. In fact, they revel in it. At times it seemed that the performers have more fun making the audience squirm than in keeping to the script. This was evident when they told the audience to place their hand on the person to their lefts knee followed by a 10 second blackout where you were invited to "do anything you want". I don't know about sexual tensions, but it certainly made the relationship I have with my dad who I'd brought with me extremely uncomfortable…
Victy’s musical prowess combined with Bernie’s impressive vocal range make their songs about tantric sex, food in the bedroom and killing Bernie’s ex-lovers all fantastically catchy and their characterisation is out of this world. If you like cabaret, you’ll love this.
Eastend Cabaret can next be seen at Brighton Komedia on Thursday 23rd October.
Kate Lennon
Pictured: EastEnd Cabaret
