Ladies and Gentlemen, Gays and Theys, roll up, roll up for C’est Magnifique – showing at SpiegelGardens this May for Brighton Fringe (which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year).
My friend and I had the delight of attending this dazzling and inclusive 1930s set show at the WundaBarn on Wednesday night and it’s been a real standout so far in all the Fringe shows I have been lucky enough to go along to.
The six-strong ensemble from Chocolate Box Theatre, led by the loveable and sassy Cyril, wowed the audience with West-End-level vocals, delicious costumes, slick dance moves and smutty humour. This is a musical theatre-themed cabaret show with no clear narrative, but it’s ultimately a toe-tapping, joyful celebration of musical theatre and popular songs from a range of decades. Particular highlights include Cyril’s renditions of ‘I am what I am’ and ‘My heart will go on’ with goosebump-inducing falsetto.
The cast also included the expressive Burt the Bellboy, who sent the audience into titters with a performance of one of the most tongue-in-cheek songs of the 1930s – ‘My Girl’s Pussy’. The glamorous Frenchwoman Babette charmed the audience with her humour: “The next musical number only becomes more poignant as America slides towards oligarchy” – Cabaret’s ‘Money Money’. This performance included some jolly good synchronised tambourining from the superb sextet too. There was also a talented duo of keyboardist and drummer on stage.
Zelda Valentine showcased her amazing vocals, particularly with ‘A Wild, Wild Party’ while another performer Gaylord expertly led on the tap dancing for fan favourite ‘I Got Rhythm’. The brilliant Goldie Goldstein led a joyful rendition of Purpose from Avenue Q.
Other highlights included Some Like It Hot’s ‘What are you thirsty for?’ which added to this montage laden with innuendo. I loved the musical theatre renditions of ‘I need a hero’ and ‘Nature Boy’. There was also a ship (sea men) medly and some audience participation including ‘The Sun has got his hat on’, a Mexican wave and the Charleston. Audience participation wasn’t for everyone but most people got involved. (The 9pm start time and abundance of cocktails helped me!) “You’re like a room full of understudies,” Cyril gushed.
If you love musical theatre, don’t miss this show, in a sparkling venue with a top notch team of performers.
C’est Magnifique is on at WundaBarn at The SpiegelGardens on May 14 and 16 at 9pm. The show will all be part of a Brighton Fringe closing party at The Walrus at 10pm on May 30.
Tickets: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/cest-magnifique/
Venue: SpiegelGardens, Victoria Gardens North, Grand Parade, Brighton
