Miss Nightingale - The Burlesque Musical - Review - Leicester Square Theatre - July 2013

www.burlesquemap.co.uk

1942, London is at war with Germany.
George, a Polish, Jew songwriter has fled Berlin for a land that promises to protect him from the Nazi persecution, where his origins, homosexuality and desire for artistic freedom have put him in peril. In London, he unites with Maggie Brown, a nurse from northern England, with a passion for singing and performing, and a craving for fame.

Noticed by Sir Frank Worthington-Blythe, an upper class showbiz promoter, George and Maggie, 'Miss Nightingale', begin their escalade to stardom.

But life is not so simple for them. George is perpetually nostalgic about the city he left behind, and struggles to conceal his homosexuality. Maggie's love life resembles more a casualty of war than a fairy tale, as the man she loves,Tom, is married. And Frank, with a few secrets of his own, is soon faced with a dilemma that has repercussions for all of them.

Miss Nightingale is a love story, in the midst of World World II, that approaches meaningful topics with humour, sexiness and sensibility. Enigmatic until the finale, the play kept me hooked until the end.

The writing is spot on. Using regional idioms and lexicon from the time, Matthew Bugg manages to portray the true likeness of England in the 1940s. His script is filled with humour, sexual innuendos, and the tongue-in-cheek audacity that makes this play so attractive.

'Miss Nightingale' shows off the British spirit, positive in the face of adversity, the 'stiff upper lip', with heart and humour. In the 1940s, a real patriotic spirit embraced a nation faced with a terrifying assailant.
But behind the front line, a different enemy is fought within the social scene of the time.

Matthew Bugg has encapsulated the social aspect of persecution and repression in 1940s London with great skill. But the play couldn't have come together without the accomplished cast of actors, singers and talented musicians, who gave a compelling performance.

Amber Topaz is fabulous. Her spectacular and powerful voice lends itself perfectly to the 1940s tone. Whether interpreting Marlene Dietrich, 'Biggles', or others from her varied repertoire, Amber's omnipotent voice fills every corner of the room.

Actor, singer and dancer, Amber performs a sexy, sassy and perfectly teasing burlesque act. 
But do not expect the burlesque of meaningless and boring feather fans dance and striptease. Amber Topaz, a renowned name in the world of burlesque, provides the audience with quality acts. This is what we call Burlesque…!
She captures the tease and sassiness of the genre together with the parodic humour and wit that true burlesque is.

A most dynamic, talented, charismatic troupe that will enthral you till the end of the play…!

Miss Nightingale is not to be missed…!

To find out more about the tour, which ends at the end of July, visit the website: www.missnightingale.co.uk





Eva Lamour




Cast:

Amber Topaz
Ilan Goodman
Tomm Coles
Alex Tomkins
Adam Langstaff
Tobias Oliver
Matthew Bugg
Henry Goodman

Photography by Simon Annand

Cirque du Cabaret at The Spiegeltent - 2013

We want to share the following with our readers:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cirque du Cabaret presents

Cirque du Cabaret at The Spiegeltent, Southbank Centre from Friday May 31st 2013
London’s Southbank Jubilee Gardens
off Belvedere Road
London, SE1 8XX

Celebrating comedy, international circus and burlesque acts in the heart of London’s Southbank.

‘Naughty but Nice’ Sunday Independent
‘The Only place to be’ Evening Standard


After a residency in Picadilly’s famous Pigalle Club, a series of sell out shows at the 2012 Southbank Festival and more recently, a sell out show in Leicester Square theatre, Cirque du Cabaret returns for five dates in the stunning vintage tent on the Southbank.

This new show will focus on comedy with performances from comedy veteran David Armand (Secret Policeman’s Ball and La Soiree) and newcomer comedy singer songwriter, Eliot Mason. The show will also include international circus and burlesque from London’s finest performers including Banbury Cross and Sophia St Villier. Guinness world record holder Berlin Sword swallower Jewels Good will also perform.
Cirque du Cabaret’s celebrity audience include Christian Slater, Yasmin Le Bon, Sam Neill and Russell Brand.
‘No two shows are ever the same, so we have audiences who come back time and time again and always see something new. We’ll have circus and burlesque acts from around the world and some surprise comedy guests too’ says producer Sara Coloha.

Please see website for event details and tickets: www.cirqueducabaret.com
Www.londonwonderground.co.ukFor media passes, interview and photo requests, please contact: info@cirqueducabaret.com
or phone Sara 07981909177


LISTING FOR:

31st MAY - 28th JUNE -  19th JULY -  20th SEPTEMBER - 28th SEPTEMBER

Cirque du Cabaret comedy cabaret show in London’s Spiegeltent Southbank

Tickets: £19 and £17.50 - Call 0844 545 8282
, open 9am - 8pm, 7 days a week

Ticket address: www.londonwonderground.co.uk/node/938614

Where: London’s Southbank Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Show style: International cabaret and circus show with burlesque striptease - OVER 18s


 www.cirqueducabaret.com

Scandalous! Ivy Paige at the Leicester Square Theatre - London West End - Review...

Scandalous! is a musical that captures the world of Ivy, a brothel Madam in the 18th century London, who plots her way out of a financial debt to the Marquis of Gray, her aspiring lover.

Notorious owner of a bordello, Ivy protects the future of her whore house with the help of her courtesans. The arrival of Rose, a virgin whore, provides Ivy with the perfect opportunity to distract the Marquis away from her.

When events turn for the worst, and Ivy is imprisoned, the Marquis seizes the good chance to run the brothel.
Will Ivy return to take back her precious house?

A strong woman, who must be astute to survive, but her loneliness is, at times, a price she pays for settling for money and not love. But what path will she choose, ultimately?

Capturing the harsh world of women in the 18th century London, Scandalous! explores the vulnerability of a woman who is prepared to fight a world where men dominate more than money and politics.

The play is full of comedy, live music and burlesque acts, with a supporting cast including Pete Saunders, talented song writer and singer (formerly of Dexys Midnight Runners) accompanies Ivy at the piano, and delights us with his singing too.
Harper Ray, as the Marquis of Gray, is presently producer/director at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. His classical acting gives much strength to his role, and great stage presence.

Crinolines, pantaloons and corsets, and the magnificent voice of Ivy Paige, certainly make the show a must-see.

The majestic and gorgeous period dresses worn by Ivy Paige are a vision and plunge you right back in time, as does the colourful array of period costumes that makes this play a visual delight. With the burlesque acts bringing their unique outfits, the wardrobe in general will attract the attention of the audience.

This musical is full of vibrant, professional and confident acting.
Ivy is a natural performer and actress, who has much to offer the West End. I would love to see more of her witty humour in this play, but there is no doubt that her talent is reflected in her powerful stage presence. Ivy Paige is quality in all its splendour, the voice, the acting, the determination, and creativity she offers, show a great future for this play.

The audience is never forgotten, as the courtesans welcome you as clients of Ivy's 'disreputable establishment', handing 'guineas' to spend during the show. The interaction with the audience, throughout the play, reflects the confidence of the actors.

Ivy is here to stay, and with the support of great names like Pete Saunders and Harper Ray, our most illustrious and celebrated London theatre scene, one of the most envied around the world, has found a new talent.


Do not miss the great opportunity to see this fabulous play that, so far, only appears on the 30th December 2012 and the 26th January 2013, with more dates to come.

Check the various dates on: www.ivypaige.co.uk and support one of our most talented performers, in theatre, cabaret, burlesque and more, much more...!





Eva Lamour



Photography by: James Drury

Leicester Square Theatre

Ivy Paige

Pete Saunders

Marquis of Gray and courtesans

Ivy and Marquis of Gray

The Troupe

Ivy Paige and her courtesans

Ivy Paige - Scandalous! House of Whorecraft... at Leicester Square Theatre, London

Inspired by the 18th century costumes and lifestyle, Ivy Paige's latest production, Scandalous! House of 'Whorecraft' appears in the West End, London, since October (check the different dates). Ivy's fascination with stories of the time and brothel Madams, their spirit, entrepreneurial character and their drive for success, despite their prophesied pitiful destiny, has been the inspiration for this dramatisation.

Set in London in the mid 18th century, the story transports you into a voyage with Ivy Paige who is to become London's most notorious brothel Madam. Accompanied by her courtesans, Ivy will enthrall you right from the beginning...!

A very talented performer, with a business spirit of her own, Ivy Paige promises to take you on a journey filled with intrigue, thrill and fabulous acting; undoubtedly, I expect the best of theatre play, and performance. She has collaborated with two grand names in music and theatre productions, Harper Ray (artistic director for the West End Cabaret Club 'Too Too Much' - formerly the Raymond Revue Bar, and presently producer/director at the Shakespeare Globe theatre), and Peter Saunders (formerly a member of Dexys Midnight Runners) who brings his signature tunes (a mixture of old and new songs), making a most exciting combination, not just in terms of music and cabaret but in ideas and creativity.

Scandalous! is a play not to miss this season, as it vows to bring burlesque, cabaret, music and a fabulous story line with talented actors, all in one night...!

Visit Ivy Paige at: www.ivypaige.co.uk
for information on the show and dates - Leicester Square Theatre, London



Eva Lamour



IVY PAIGE