08/11/15: As the clock strikes nine on a Sunday evening, there is only one place to be.
With the sound of the Bow Bells ringing in my ears I reach the gem of the East End, The Old Ship. I’m greeted by John, the lovely landlord, who is determined to keep cabaret alive in this neck of the woods and tonight it’s supplied by ‘the voice of a thousand fags’ – Mrs Moore.
Welcomed onstage by guest DJ Linda Bacardi, Mrs Moore gets off to a flying start with ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ and within just a few minutes has the audience eating out of her hands with back-to-back gags and much-encouraged heckling.
“What’s your name sweetheart?’’ Moore asks a ‘fag hag’ at front of crowd “Kylie” she giggles ‘’You should be so lucky!’’ replies Moore followed by a whole repertoire of Kylie back catalogue titles cleverly placed into the ongoing stand up set.
More fun jibes at the audience follow with some great Grindr and poppers jokes. Then time for a serious moment… “My friend Gav passed away this week guys, it was an overdose of heartburn pills…I just can’t believe that Gav-is-gone!’
Just time for a couple more songs before it’s time to say goodbye, but the crowd don’t let Mrs Moore leave, 3 encores later and the audience raise the roof with the sound of rapturous applause… What a great show! Please sir, can we have some more?
17 Barnes St, London E14 7NW
Words by Jason Prince
Photos by Joel Ryder
