Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Hoxton Underbelly, London
Cast: @FoxiBlueCabaret, @AngelRouge_Burlesque, @EllaGanzaBurlesque, @Voluptuous.Von.BonBon, @Birdie_Starling, @MissLilyPhoenix, @Judit.Circus, @CloCloLaHoop, @VioletDuff and @_Violets_Vaudeville_Vault_
Join producer and host Foxi Blue for a real variety show, featuring phenomenal performers, both new and established, from across the industry, including burlesque, circus, sideshow, pole dance, clowning, music, dance, drag and comedy. Celebrate the end of the month with the best in the biz! Performers will be announced regularly on our Facebook and Instagram pages, @shenaniganscabaretuk. Please visit www.shenaniganscabaret.com for videos and photos of previous shows. Doors will open at 7.15pm for a prompt 8pm show start.
Shenanigans Cabaret is hosted by international burlesque sensation Foxi Blue, and co-produced with her husband-in-crime Mr Blue. The Blue’s present their shenanigans on the last Thursday of every month, as well as Cabaret Bingo on varying dates; be sure to follow @ShenanigansCabaretUK on Instagram to keep up to date with their events. Read on to hear more and see who made my top 10 performers list over the past year.
What I adore so much about this show is that it encompasses the true meaning of the word ‘variety’ show. I am a regular at Shenanigans and it never fails to surprise and delight me. Every single show is as fresh and exciting as the last. With an endless stream of drag and burlesque artists, magicians, poets, singers, dancers, hula hoopers, spoken word, clowning, contortionists, pole artists, comedians and more gracing their stage; you name it, they’ve had it, and there is guaranteed to be something for everyone. Neither Foxi nor her shows are in the least bit traditional. She takes a special interest in the weird and wonderful and prides herself in giving her audience diversity in spades.
Shenanigans Cabaret is special, creating a safe and judgement free space unlike any other, Foxi’s entire MO is about inviting her audiences to show up exactly as they are and celebrating the beauty that is brought to the room. Her stage is no different and her line ups mirror this, showing off every shape, size, colour and configuration of talent you can imagine.
One of my favourite things about Foxi’s show is her passion and desire to uplift and celebrate young, new, and inexperienced performers, often offering them their first professional gig, which constantly brings fresh, exciting talent to the stage and making space for them in a world where it is common to see the same big names constantly taking the stage over and over, across London especially.
Over the past year I have seen more wonderful performances on Foxi’s stage than I could possibly count, with personal favourites being last year’s Halloween special, and the most recent show that took place in June. There’s a huge number of cabaret shows in London, all of which produce some form of pride themed performance each year. Daring to be different (as ALWAYS), Foxi instead organises a charity show every June, with all proceeds donated to that year’s chosen charity. Last month Foxi embraced disabled joy by organising the most accessible show yet, curating a stunning line up of disabled performers, and raising over £400 for Face Front Inclusive Theatre. It was a magical evening, including outstanding performances from Angel Rouge, Ella Ganza, Voluptuous Von Bon Bon, Birdie Starling, and Miss Lily Phoenix; just to name a few!
Some other stand-out performances over the year include Judit with her jaw dropping hand-balancing act that’s so slick you’d never guess she has only been performing less than two years! CloClo La Hoop is the hula hooper that’ll leave everyone wanting to join the circus, and aside from hosting and producing her own show, Violet’s Vaudeville Vault, Violet Duff gives a dynamite performance with her pipes of power, consistently leaving me in awe of her vocal quality, tone, and control. And of course there is Foxi Blue herself, who may treat the audience to a performance or two herself if you’re lucky.
It’s safe to say that Shenanigans Cabaret is a must-see and what better place to start than in bonnie Scotland where Foxi’s stellar line up will be taking the Edinburgh Fringe by storm for the 4th year in a row, with some surprise guests sprinkled in for good measure.
You can catch Shenanigans Cabaret at Hill Street Theatre, Edinburgh from the 18th-25th July at 10:45pm, Tickets available here. You can also catch Foxi at multiple other shows across the festival. Shenanigans Cabaret is currently in search of its new forever home in London but you can keep an eye on their website and Instagram for updates on upcoming London shows!
Review by Rachel
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