Baby! It's Cabaret

Reviewed by Emmet Spencer

Catherine Campbell and Matthew Carey

La Boheme . 6^thJune

36 weeks pregnant and luminous Catherine Campbell, clad in a sexy mini little black dress took to the stage at La Boheme as part of the Cabaret Fringe Festival. Accompanied by the marvellous Matthew Carey, Campbell shared her joys and trials of impending motherhood through well-chosen songs and lyrics, many by Stephen Sondheim. And she connected instantly to her audiences with her radiant smile. She has an incredible ability to draw people into her stories, charm them effortlessly and captivate them with her stunning vocals, while Carey brings out the best in her performance by his fluent pianism.

The show started off on a comical tone with Frim Fram Sauce, while lamenting her perpetual hunger. The theme continued when she belted out the hilarious “Dieter’s Prayer”. Clever lyrics describing the baby’s acrobatic moves in utero, which were sung to Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George also captured the mother-to-be’s anticipation and bewilderment perfectly.

But there also were many tender moments. Emotion filled the room as she held her belly and sweetly sang the Russian lullaby that’s been passed down through three generations to her unborn baby. “Children will Listen” and “Look, Mummy, No Hands” were equally moving. Every note she sang was brimming with love for the child.

I expect there will be another show about motherhood by this dynamic duo soon, which I’m already looking forward to.Go see this show – it will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy – exactly what you need on a cold, rainy night.