Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical
Reuben Kaye

Reuben Kaye is a cabaret god; he’ll tell you so himself. Launching himself onto the stage, he’s dressed like a chandelier mated with a Butlin's redcoat (in a good way) with massive eyelashes and ridiculously high heels and he’s come to Edinburgh to cement his place as a superstar.

If there’s any justice in the world, Reuben Kaye will sell out the rest of his run.

Kaye has a powerful voice and each song is ovation-worthy on its own. The simple accompaniment of piano, drums and bass keeps the focus on his voice (you can’t imagine he’d allow the focus to go anywhere else) and his choice of classic covers, reimagined to fit the show are sublime.

Where Kaye shines is in audience interaction; he’s been a compère on the cabaret scene for several years and has honed his skills with the well placed put downs and the flirtatious banter in clubs all across the world. His dealings with the many members of the audience who fall under his gaze bring raucous laughter and Kaye is never afraid to clamber onto a random man and take them to a flirtatiously uncomfortable (but never unwelcome) place. A moment of true Fringe joy occurs when he realises the one of the objects of his attention is only 16 years old and he plays his panicked reaction for even harder laughs. He’s like Liberace on ketamine and he’s got the frills to prove it.

The thing that makes Kaye really stand out is that he’s got the brains to go with the looks. His asides take in Shakespeare, Bronte, Modernist Theatre and Dadaism, and, if he thinks the audience might have missed the reference, he’s delighted to stop and explain. Of course, this is a show about Kaye so there’s some life story in there. He seems a bit of an unreliable narrator but the tale he weaves is engaging, poignant and hilarious but, really, it’s just an aside from the tormenting of the audience and the ever more spectacular costumes.

If there’s any justice in the world, Reuben Kaye will sell out the rest of his run. Make sure you’re one of the lucky few to see him.

Reviews by Frodo Allan

Bedlam Theatre

A Girl Gets Naked In This

★★★★
C ARTS | C venues | C aquila

Weaving Me, Weaving Mum

★★★
C ARTS | C venues | C aquila

Baby Rock

★★★★
Summerhall

Piskie

★★★★
Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows

Tweedy's Massive Circus

★★★★★
Assembly Roxy

NoVa

★★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Best Cabaret Winner Adelaide Fringe 2017. Obscenely intelligent, beautifully filthy, and rib-crackingly funny, Australia's Cabaret superstar Reuben Kaye is what happens when you tell your children they can be anything. Backed by the best three piece band in the business, 'the evil love child of Liza Minnelli and Jim Carrey' (BritishTheatreGuide.info) is a dazzling explosion of songs, lashes and teeth... Deliciously conceited and gloriously camp. 'Kaye's delivery is flawless' (AussieTheatre.com.au). 'A comedy star... he's beautiful, hilarious, knowing, wicked' (Times). 'Outstanding, unique, gob-smacking, phenomenal, extraordinary... He's a superstar by any definition. See him now!' (Stage Whispers).
Buy cheap tickets for Wicked
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Figaro: An Original Musical
Figaro: An Original Musical

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Cabaret
Cabaret

From £91.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Back To The Future
Back To The Future

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for MJ The Musical
MJ The Musical

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Les Miserables
Les Miserables

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA!

From £15.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Lonely Londoners
Buy cheap tickets for How to Survive Your Mother
Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
Buy cheap tickets for The Elixir of Love
Buy cheap tickets for The Dazzling Diamonds
Buy cheap tickets for The Pirates of Penzance
Buy cheap tickets for Starlight Express
Buy cheap tickets for Mary Queen of Scots
Buy cheap tickets for Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist
Buy cheap tickets for Marriage of Figaro