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Two Ladies: La Bella Bimba at Barons Court Theatre / Canal Cafe Theatre

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T hey sing. They dance. They clown around. They even wash clothes! Such is the story of La Bella Bimba, part of the Voila Theatre Festival, which highlights new and emerging artists. A tale of two Italian ladies who land in 1920s New York, trying to break into Broadway without speaking a word of English. It’s harmless, primarily even if a little nonsensical, and is currently playing as part of the Voila! Theatre Festival .  I caught the performance at the Barons Court Theatre , where the intimate setting created an evocative atmosphere reminiscent of dark New York alleyways. The space was almost claustrophobic with a distinct smell of rising damp, making you feel immersed in the story of two Ladies hanging around the theatre doors of Broadway. On the plus side, the theatre has some of the most comfortable seats you will find in any pub theatre in London. As the naive and hopeful singers, Co-creator Lucrezia Galeone as Carlotta and Sarah Silvestri as Cecilia are fine singers with co...

The greatest show and other bromances: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE Ball and Boe @sohotheatre

Production publicity photo

Alfie Boe and Michael Ball seem to be a bit of a joke act anyway. Their endless interpretations of popular songs (also known as covers) and their double-act bromance make them quintessential crossover artists where popular music meets opera and Broadway. And a perilous choice for the discerning listener. It’s not that they aren’t talented musicians and performers in their own right. Still, their musical choices are always safe, predictable and less than their potential. But every country deserves to have a pair of self-described national treasures that can tour the local arenas and give people a good time for the bargain price of £175 a seat. 

And so the concept of Adam Riches and John Kearns - two world-famous from the Edinburgh Fringe comedians taking on this bromance seems like a curious choice for a Christmas musical fare. One can only hope that over the fourteen nights, it is playing at the Soho Theatre that the show evolves into something more substantial than a series of poop jokes and dubious sketches. I’m not sure it will become a wry observation about the state of popular entertainment and musical events in this country, which seems like a missed opportunity. 

The audience seemed primed for the comedian’s piss-take of the two. Either it was the good choice of beers that the Soho Theatre offers or prior knowledge of their act. Laughter was happening even before any punchline. But being unfamiliar with both the performers and the Ball and Boe phenomenon, it seemed a hard slog for what is only a one-hour show.

Still, we are treated to a rousing rendition of The Greatest Show (from the movie The Greatest Showman)—several times. Adam Riches and John Kearns can’t match the vocals of Michael Ball or Alfie Bow. And they don’t quite match their over-the-top reverence for this bizarre song, either. But at least they annunciate the words. 

This one-hour diversion in the basement of the Soho theatre might be your cup of tea as an alternative to the usual pantos and Christmas carols. For others, including me, I was intrigued by the concept but left perplexed by the execution. Maybe that is a commentary on popular entertainment in this country. Pass the power ballads. 

Directed by Tom Parry, Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE, ‘Ball and Boe’ is at the Soho Theatre until 4 January

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photo credit: production photo

 

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