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C'est Magnifique

 
Susanne Crosby Review by Susanne Crosby 5 Published: 3 May 2025 Multiple Venues Show Dates: 2 May 2025-30 May 2025

It’s rare to find a show that has absolutely everything, is literally all singing, all dancing, with copious handfuls of magic sprinkled on it – yet here it is. C’est Magnifique is just that. They call it their love letter to all things musical theatre, but it is much more than that: with host Cyril’s introduction at the beginning inviting everyone to say “Here it is right” along with him, the troupe give us permission to leave everything outside and just be who we are. Here, we are allowed to enjoy the moment, in the cabaret to surpass all cabarets.

It’s the imperfections that actually make it perfect

In fact, if you ever wanted a glimpse of what it must have been like in Berlin in its early 1930s decadent heyday, this is likely to be as close as you can get. It’s deliciously delightful, naughty and a little risqué, in a sizzling glittering pot of understated quality. The vocals are truly sublime. All have different qualities and tones; they also blend exceptionally well together, creating soaring, interesting and glorious harmonies with live music backing. The choreography is incredibly well done, authentic cabaret style and time period, which is a joy to watch – including the French Madame Babette singing almost upside down at one point.

One of the many super-skills they have is the uncanny knack of knowing exactly which numbers to put where: the ability to interweave the fast-paced, highly choreographed pieces between wildly different solo songs; contrasting the fun or the frivolous with the deeply poignant and moving in a way that absolutely works. Each individual song has been given detailed treatment, from Money from Cabaret, performed with a tambourine-timed percussion segment which is gorgeous, to a duet tap-dancing routine and dance with lifts lasting all the way through I Got Rhythm, which is fabulous. Their timing throughout is impeccable.

There are so many standout moments as every individual piece is stunning; and humour and jokes are the sprinkles of fun and joy in everything they do. There are singing suitcases and shoe percussion, plus a glittery top-hat dance, and it’s the energy they give to it all that makes it wonderful. These six performers are all very different but add their uniqueness and all their contrasting qualities to the mix to make something greater than the sum of its parts. Everywhere you look there is something interesting going on in the shapes, physicality and facial expressions. The sea-faring segment – including a Titanic moment – is utterly hilarious and a fantastic highlight.

Each of the six – Conor Baum, Nathan Potter, Jodie Harrop, Emma Edwards, Hannah Semple and Jack Thomson– play a different character with authenticity and verve, each with their own particular mannerisms which complement the whole. Their expressions are hilarious, especially Conor as Cyril the Emcee with camp swagger and confidence, addressing everyone as “Ladies and Gentlemen, Gays and Theys”. The way they deal with hiccups is so professional you are never quite sure whether those moments have been planned as part of the show – but a show like this needs to appear slightly flawed to laugh at itself. It’s the imperfections that actually make it perfect. Head on down there, join in the experience: it’s magnificent.

Amir Nisi

Susanne Crosby

Susanne is a national award winning playwright and has been telling stories since she learned to talk. She became a published poet aged 17, and is mainly known for writing plays which have been performed all over East Sussex. In addition, she writes short stories and has one published novel. She is also a freelance journalist for local papers, magazines and blogs. She is part of the “Paperweights” anthology, published by Scope in 2015.

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The Blurb:

C’est Magnifique, brought to you by Chocolate Box Theatre, is a little piece of escapist heaven for any fan of musical theatre. Come back in time to an imagined cabaret night haunt in Paris or Berlin in the 1930s. Join Cyril the emcee, Gaylord, Babette, Goldie, Bert and the indomitable Zelda as they perform number after number: ballads, torch songs, comedy numbers, musical theatre hits and a pop of pop.

This whole show oozes sexiness, sassiness, sensuality and sophistication. It’s a tip of the hat towards hedonism, yet embraces the old and the new in musical theatre in perfect balance. It’s an example of consummate professionalism with super audience banter from Cyril. This is immersive theatre at its finest.

They don’t just can-can, they will, will – all accompanied by live music and high kicks! This show has been selling out to packed audiences and rave reviews – it is not to be missed!

Final show on May 30 at Tusk Club has seating options and has a DJ to follow. It's party time!

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