Hitch,
Mary Bijou Cabaret and Social Club,
Cabaret, Circus & Theatre Cabaret,
The Spiegeltent, Old Steine, Brighton
Cardiff based theatre cabaret group/night Mary Bijou Cabaret and Social Club invite us to enter a dark world of suspense and intrigue where the performers draw you into the shadows of the brilliant twisted mind of Hitchcock.
With three Mrs Danvers, a stripping Hitchcock himself, some very funny 1906’s dancing from the Hitchcock Blonds, a stunning pair of rope acts themed from the Birds, an impressive slack line act from Vertigo, a very funny acrobatics routine from Rear Window complete with wheelchair, leg cast and feather trimmed house coat…the list goes on. It’s inspired by Hitch’s films, the atmosphere, costume and pose is all genuine suspense and the finale and interpretation of the most famous of shower scenes from Pyscho is both startlingly original and fun. My favourite act, other than the singing Mrs Danvers who sadly disappointed me as she wasn’t half mad enough, was the rather blunt hoopla lady, who’s tart lounge was as sharp as her observations and who worked her way around the front row as the hoops spun around her body. Impressive and funny.
With some funny dance routines and more eclectic referenced works that pulled in ideas from Hitchcock which are then woven into circus skills this is an unpredictable evening the sum of which are greater than the parts. However the whole ‘themed evening’ thing works to propel the nights inwards with good humour. With a live soundscape and singing chopped into samples and famous Hitchcock’s themes with original music by Tom Elsob (The Idol Rich) and Bethan Cecil and Branwen Munn singing for their lives, the atmosphere and tension was kept high all night.
The Spiegeltent and bar continue to provide quality evening entertainment in this most cosy and fun of venues and its’ great to grab a beer and relax in the garden of the Old Steine people watching before the show starts.
There’s a few surreal comedy routines dropped in for fun and one or two moments of WTF, but then that’s half the fun of this type of evening out, there’s plenty of variety and the skill set of the performers is wide.
Slightly rough and ready, with a dollop of irreverent vulgarity, but I suspect this was ironically intentional. This in your face and rather delightfully sweet show fills an aching hole this week in the Spiegel tent and is well worth the trip out to see, it’s fun, silly and has some pretty cool and surreal moments stitched into Hitchcock loving heart. It’s also visually very pleasing and the Mary Bijou Cabaret and Social Club should be congratulated on creating such an interesting and stylish premise to showcase their collection of talents.
Oh and fancy dress is optional but highly recommended. Dress as your favourite Hitchcock character… victim, villain or hapless innocent. Or maybe you fancy yourself as the ‘master of suspense’ himself.
Until Thursday 22
The Spiegeltent
For more info or to book tickets see the Fringe Website here:
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