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More sex and violence: Playfight @sohotheatre

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The funny thing about three girls growing up under a tree is that you never quite know when they're being serious or just messing about. One time, they might be talking about giving blow jobs on a tennis court at school and another, they might be yearning for a connection that they can't quite explain. That's what happens in Playfight, an Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024 hit currently showing at Soho Theatre .  Writer Julia Grogan doesn't give us much time to dwell on the lives of these three young teenage girls. One minute, they're fifteen and giggling, and then the next thing, they're off getting married or going to University. But underneath all the smutty talk, humour, and quick scene changes, there is a darker underbelly about relationships, power, and consent. It's about finding your way in a complex world that can dehumanise and degrade you. But as things move so quickly, you could blink and miss it. This is too bad as the performances capturing this co...

Cabaret sisters doing it for themselves: Sibling Revelry @HippodromeLDN


It would be fair to say that Ann Hampton Callaway and her sister Liz Callaway raised the roof with their sensational cabaret show at the London Hippodrome. Smart and engaging with some terrific witty banter, it is hard to imagine a better show in London at the moment.

Both are stars of New York’s cabaret scene and have both been Tony Award-nominated for their performances in major Broadway musicals. Music is clearly in their bones having grown up in a musical family. They have had acclaimed careers in their own right but the show is is an opportunity to update the show they performed together back at the Donmar in 1996.



At first glance it is hard to believe they are siblings given their different appearance and style.

Ann Hampton Callaway has a smouldering voice (and sultry looks). But she can also blow the roof off when she sings a number such as Blues In The Night. Watching her perform this number was a cathartic experience.

Contrasting this is her younger sister Liz with her beautifully clear and unforced soprano. This was evident with her performances of the songs  Meadowlark and The Story Goes On. The latter being from the musical Baby in which she originated the role of Lizzie.


But when they appear together their harmonies and their ability to interpret a lyric are simply astounding. But there is a warmth and humour that comes across, even as they compare their respective careers, with a hint of sibling rivalry revelry.

The set list was a thoughtful collection of songs that played to their strengths as soloists and individuals along with marking key points of their respective careers (to date).


There is also an opportunity to point out that Ann is not just a terrific singer but a composer with a performance of the theme song from The Nanny.

Anyone interested in performance should go and see this masterclass in Cabaret.

Directed by Dan Foster, with Alex Rybeck as Music Director and on piano, Colin McCann on drums and Rob Hutchinson on bass.

Sibling Revelry runs only until Saturday at the London Hippodrome.

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

Photo credits: Darren Bell

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