From the moment you step into the venue, Sinematic Cabaret announces itself as a night that refuses to blend into the background. The crowd alone is a spectacle worth the ticket price: eclectic, vibrant, and buzzing with anticipation. Everyone seems to have dressed not just up but for the occasion, as though the audience itself is part of the performance. If you’re a people-watcher, this is your playground. Sequins, latex, feathers, velvet, and the occasional outrageous accessory all mingle together in a glorious swirl of theatrical self-expression. The old saying “all fur coat and no knickers” feels tailor-made for this evening —and in some cases, quite literally accurate.
That sense of expectation builds as you take in the space. The V shaped stage and illuminated archway immediately set the tone, evoking the glamour of a bygone cabaret era while keeping things deliciously modern. The layout feels like an informal lounge — intimate, low-lit, and inviting — with small tables reminiscent of Goodfellas, where you half expect someone to slide you a whiskey and a knowing wink. For the bold (or the unsuspecting), bar stools circle the stage itself, offering a front row view so close you can practically feel the performers’ breath. It’s immersive, daring, and just a little dangerous in the best possible way.
Once the show begins, any lingering sense of restraint evaporates. What unfolds is raucous, unapologetic fun: erotic burlesque cabaret at its most confident and chaotic. The performers dive headfirst into a celebration of cult cinema, weaving together iconic films with a risqué, tongue-in-cheek flair. Costumes range from lavish to barely-there, each one meticulously crafted even when it consists of little more than glitter and attitude. There’s decadence everywhere — in the choreography, in the humour, in the sheer audacity of the staging — and the crowd laps it up.
Audience participation is not just encouraged but practically inevitable. Lolo Brown, the MC for the evening, commands the room with a mix of brash humour, razor-sharp wit, and a gleefully confrontational presence. She is rude, bold, and utterly magnetic, often leaning into the audience — sometimes literally — to deliver her punchlines. Few escape her attention, and even fewer want to. Her energy stitches the evening together, giving the show a chaoticcohesion that feels both spontaneous and expertly controlled.
The acts themselves are a kaleidoscope of pop culture references. One moment you’re plunged into the sultry world of Moulin Rouge, the next you’re watching a gleefully over-the-top homage to Pulp Fiction or From Dusk Till Dawn. A Magic Mike style breakdancing interlude brings the house down, as expected, and the drag performance in the Rocky Horror opening is a highlight — sharp, glamorous, and dripping with charisma.
There’s semi nudity, comedy, camp, pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics, but it’s all delivered with such joy and theatricality that it never feels gratuitous. Instead, it feels like a celebration of bodies, performance, and the art of not taking oneself too seriously. What else could you wish for on a Thursday Evening but real old fashioned entertainment with a 21st century eclectic twist?
The crowd’s reaction is electric. Cheers, whoops, gasps, and laughter ripple throughout the show, creating a communal atmosphere that sets the expectation for the next set. It’s easy to imagine Sinematic Cabaret becoming a cult favourite, much like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which fittingly appears in the lineup. There’s a sense that word of mouth will be this show’s greatest ally — the kind of underground gem that London’s open minded audiences discover, adore, and return to with friends in tow.
What makes the evening so compelling is its blend of nostalgia and novelty. By drawing on beloved film classics — Chicago, Dreamgirls, Jackie Brown, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Austin Powers, Dirty Dancing, Catwoman, and more — the show taps into shared cultural memories while twisting them into something fresh, provocative, and wickedly funny. It’s a pop culture feast served with a wink, a shimmy, and the occasional flash of bare skin.
Ultimately, Sinematic Cabaret is exactly what London needs: something slightly under the radar, gloriously unfiltered, and bursting with personality. It’s not for the fainthearted or the easily scandalised, and it’s certainly not suitable for under18s, but for those craving a night of bold, bawdy entertainment, it’s a triumph. A provocative, high octane celebration of cinema, cabaret, and the joy of letting go.
Next performances 5th March, 12th March and 19th March
Over 18s only and use of strobe lighting.
Reviewer: Penny Curran
On: 26th February 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment