Having thoroughly enjoyed the Black Cat Cabaret at Udderbelly in June (https://www.allinlondon.co.uk/blogs/showblog.php?post=3853), and being a fan of Burlesque (no pun intended) I went along for the late night “Between the sheets” show (930pm until 11pm) at the intimate and circus-like Spiegeltent on the South Bank. We spent the early part of our evening wandering along the river with all its summer time activities and grazing at the street food stalls outside the Royal Festival Hall.
Obviously sexually-charged and with a host of barely-dressed, perfectly formed young male and female bodies the show is designed to titillate. The first part focuses on risqué dance moves accompanied by skilled cabaret singing to a variety of excellent contemporary disco and club songs. There’s a heavy dose of comedy too – such as the fun with Lilly from Thailand.
There’s something for everyone – whether you are into cabin crew or the hunting set, straight or gay, submissive women or thrusting Magic Mike moves (and yes, there was a dance routine to Pony). But the latter – and I thought better - part of the show shifts acts such as mesmerising duets on aerial hoops and fire-eating. There was even quite a touching and tender modern dance sequence between two guys.
Highlights of the show were a young woman in a 1970s neon tassle outfit who stripped down to seductively splash herself with luminous paint. Polly Rae – with her 1940s curly red hair – came into her own (again, no pun intended) whilst wearing an oversized white shirt with stockings performing “Ooops – oh my” by Tweet.
But a personal favourite was the fast funk and fire performance to hypno-beat by a stunning brunette dressed in dramatic red. She returned at the end – clad in a basque and lots of black frills – to perform a powerful rock number – with traditional Burlesque stripping of gloves and stockings. She finally plunged into a large raised absinthe glass and appeared to have a thoroughly good time getting wet while playing with fire. The finale – to the upbeat Sexual Revolution – was a more traditional celebration of sequins and sparkle.
Be warned that if you select front row or aisle seats you are likely to become part of the spectacle as the stars in their spangles either chat to you or sit upon your lap. All in the best possible taste.
It’s a nice touch that after the show, when everyone spills out into the raised decking bar area – complete with bumper car seats – the performers join you. They are still in full (?) costume and happy to have photos taken with members of the public while continuing to lark about amongst themselves.
Polly Rae has future shows at Udderbelly on 18th and 25th August and also the 29th September. She also has a regular show at The Hippodrome
http://misspollyrae.com/
