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Dusty LimitsCabaret XXL
Birmingham Rep Door
*** IT WAS a case of leaving your Christmas
cheer at the door when Dusty Limits took to the stage on the first leg
of a trio of pre Christmas Cabaret XXL nights. Dusty also known in other circles as Dorian
Black, delivered a stiff upper lip set of songs with his dark themes
ranging from mortality to drug and sex addiction saying from the outset
it was not going to be a Christmas show. His performances are celebrated on the
international cabaret scene, and his work is co written and accompanied
on the piano by Michael Roulston. Whilst the dynamic duo are also known for their
interpretations of well know artists such as David Bowie, here they
chose original material from several of their previous shows including
those from the appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe. The pairing create a very sophisticated
atmosphere and both musically and lyrically present an accomplished, if
at times, bleak view of the world. In stark contrast to their show was a short
introduction from Barbara Nice the creation of Birmingham based actress
Janice Connolly. Although she has appeared on a variety of comedy
shows with Peter Kay she barely had time to make any real impression as
the ice breaking warm up
What was more odd was the sheer contrast of her
presence to the headline act. Dusty and Michael are more akin in style
to a modern day Flanders and Swann who were a popular piano duo of the
nineteen fifties and sixties and if any kind of compere was needed it
would have been better to add someone who may have built on their
stylish performance.
It seemed that the duo did not quite know what to
make of the audience and so they started rather nervously but after a
few songs they seemed to relax. Dusty was once the Director of the Black
Cat Cabaret at the Cafe de Paris, and with residencies at the Café de
Paris, Savoy Hotel and Café Royal seemed a little unsure in this theatre
setting of where to pitch the show. The opening songs were introspective and felt
rather safe. However towards the end of the set they began to unleash
some of their more controversial material and whilst Dusty pre warned
that someone might walk out or be offended it was more fitting for the
risqué setting that Cabaret XXL has come to represent. He need not of
have been worried. What was good to see was a more produced set for
the night with some well produced lighting that aided the mood of
Dusty’s voice and the character of every song. All in all an
entertaining if not sombre evening leaving you with thoughts rather than
laughter. The Cabaret XXL nights
continue with a range of other acts on the 16th
and 17th
December so check The Rep website
HERE for
more details. Jeff Grant 15-12-16
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for
the night. Heading straight for an audience participation piece with a
`chosen at random ‘audience member was not exactly a comfortable opening
and whilst the audience did their best to participate, it all felt flat
and awkward.