04/09/11: Would you dare to bare on stage in a busy Piccadilly Circus club, full of tipsy queens, musical fans and stage door Johnny’s?
(That’s theatre-speak for the weirdos who hang outside playhouses collecting autographs by the way). Well, that’s just what a gaggle of stars from London’s glittering West End did last week – all in the aid of charity. But don’t be fooled into thinking this was a cheap, local boozer, Full Monty-style testicle-fest.
This was a full-on, choreographed spectacular, featuring a wide variety of taut and toned twirlies and thespians in some eye-popping, jaw-dropping shows. TV fashion guru (that’s short for television by the way, not transvestite) Gok Wan was absolutely hilarious as hostess.
Cracking-wise, flirting with audience members and keeping the show chugging along at 100MPH of pure comedy. Me old mucker Sheridan Smith looked stunning and was just as fab, as she brought that genuine personal touch, which exudes from her both in her roles and in life.
Paul O’Grady was absolutely hysterical, as always, being much ruder than his suburban daytime TV fans would be accustomed to. It was joyous to see the legend at his biting best, even if we do still occasionally expect Lily Savage to pop up when we hear that voice. That’s probably just this reviewer showing her age.
The numbers were inspired by a number of contemporary and classic influences, everything from Lady GaGa to Mad Men, with talent from shows such as Chicago, Priscilla, Les Mis, Legally Blonde, Wicked and much more.
Around 1,000 people turned out for the performance and party in aid of The Make A Difference Trust; who are estimated to have made already raised over £35,000 from the event.
The Trust funds projects to tackle poverty and ill-health in the UK and Africa, as well as providing hardship help to industry members who’ve fallen on hard times due to sickness. Well done to everyone involved, what an amazing night!
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Café De Paris, 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D 6BL
Words by Lee Dalloway
Photos by Joel Ryder
