Vive Le Cabaret

• Barry Cooper
• 13 August 2014

This article is from 2014.

A riotous cavalcade of the cabaret and burlesque world

Vive le Cabaret pulls together some of the weird and wonderful from the Fringe. The rotating hosts meant on this occasion it was the irrepressible Jonny Woo, who, in the guise of Mary Portas, managed a difficult crowd and a thrusting Liza Minnelli drag number on an unfortunate volunteer.

The energetic hula performer, Miss Polly Hoop had difficulty in the confined tented space which lends itself more to comedy or music. Stand up comic Gary Little had a good set bantering with a mixed crowd and the sublime sounds of Lady Carol were a drop in pace, but a rise in standards. Dressed like a character from a fairy-tale, her melancholy Cab Calloway tribute showed off a powerful voice and a dark sense of humour in what was the highlight of the show.

Magician and Comedian Paul Dabek brought the show to a close with a comedic sleight of hand routine. He focused more than was necessary on a few heckler who thought too much of themselves - naughty children shouldn't get that much attention. That aside his timing was superb and his sharp wit meant a strong finish to a mixed bag.

Stand in the Square, 0131 558 7272, Until August 10 19:00, £10.