Sunday 27 October 2013
Lauderdale House, North London
Cabaret in the House is a series of weekly, Sunday afternoon shows being held at Lauderdale House in North London. Last Sunday is was the turn of Mamma Mia cougar, Kim Ismay to take the stage in an afternoon of good old fashioned sing song.
Hosted by (a rather trim looking) Tim McArthur, we were treated to a few lovely songs (including a Steps number, complete with dance moves) before the afternoons first act took to the stage.
Jordan Langford is just 21 years old (awwww) and having recently graduated, he told us he was going to perform some songs that he hoped he will get a chance to perform during his career. From the moment he started singing I thought we could be listening to the worlds first male Elphaba in Wicked The Musical and surely enough toward the end of the set, we were treated to a perfect rendition of Defying Gravity.
Kim Ismay is a West End legend, having performed in a plethora of shows over the years. For this performance though, she took the opportunity to perform songs from shows that she was told she was never quite right for. Kim jokes that her autobiography would be called ‘down to the last two’, reminding us how difficult it can be for actors to constantly audition and then be pipped at the post at the last hurdle.
Miss Otis Regrets, If My Friends Could See Me Now and Adelaide’s Lament were stand-out performances, showing what Kim does best, which is comedy. Ending her set by singing the song she says everyone tells you not to do at a cabaret (and especially not at the end), Kim’s version of Cabaret is a tip to the hat that she will do what ever it is she pleases and why not, she hasn’t put a foot wrong yet.
Cabaret In The House may not be in the west end but if you want to see some of your favourite performers in an intimate and very personal setting then this is definitely the place to come. You feel like you are at a private party with family and friends. What better way to spend an afternoon!
Still to come in this series of cabarets are Sam Buttery, Wendi Peters, Jordan Lee Davies and many more. Click here for more information and to book tickets.
