11/10/15: I’ve always loved the east end of London, because it’s one place that has really kept it’s community spirit, so when I was asked to review at the Old Ship I jumped at the chance and took my lovely mum with me for a night out.
Just a stone’s throw away from the London Docklands, this little gem of a venue has really managed to preserve the cabaret culture of the scene in a traditional pub setting.
Resident DJ Stevie Tee welcomes on stage the Brighton Bulldog herself, Davina Sparkle. Opening the show with ‘Ain’t That a Kick in the Head’ Davina gets the whole crowd joining in with her repertoire of singalong songs including ‘Daydream Believer’ and an uptempo version of ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’.
Davina’s stand-up comedy skills are second to none, as her patter kicks off to a hilarious start, testing the crowd to see how blue they like their humour.
‘’I went to Jason’s gig at West 5 last night’’ she said ‘’As I walked up the stairs on the bus the gentleman behind me was looking right up my skirt, I said to him ‘is this Ealing?’, ‘No’ he said ‘it still looks sore!’’’
Davina then grabbed a young straight sexy boxer out of the crowd and congratulated him for winning a trophy at the local proxy venue which really added to the community feel of the night.
Finally Davina reminisces about the late great Phil Starr and reminds the crowd that it is a decade since his passing. He wraps up his fantastic performance with a tear jerking rendition of ‘That’s What Friends Are For’
17 Barnes St, London E14 7NW
Words by Jason Prince
Photos by Chris Jepson
