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C'est Magnifique

 
Johanna Makelainen Review by Johanna Makelainen 4 Published: 16 May 2026 Multiple Venues Show Dates: 1 May 2026-29 May 2026

There are worse ways to watch cabaret than rising above Brighton seafront in the British Airways i360 at sunset. For one night only, C’est Magnifique took its hotel-cabaret glamour into the sky, where the city, sea and sinking sun supplied a spectacular opening number before anyone sang a note.

They don’t just can-can; they will-will entertain

The setting, however, was a mixed blessing. The i360 gave the show novelty, height and a memorable sense of occasion, but old-school cabaret will benefit even more from a theatre hall with soft lighting and a little smoke in the air. Sightlines in the pod were inevitably imperfect, with a better view of Brighton than of the performers.

Fortunately, Chocolate Box Theatre do not rely on the view. Directed by Emma Edwards, who also appears as the indomitable Zelda, and choreographed by Nathan Potter, who plays Gaylord, *C’est Magnifique* is a polished, high-kicking revue built around an imagined cabaret haunt somewhere between 1930s Paris and Berlin.

The singing is exceptional. Every performer can hold their own, and the harmonies have the confident sheen of artists who could walk straight into a West End ensemble. The live band gives the evening proper cabaret muscle, especially in the swing and jazz numbers.

Cyril, the master of ceremonies, keeps the tone saucy without letting it slide into cruise-ship blandness. One highlight, a Titanic pun in the style of Celine Dion, is precisely as silly as it sounds. Zelda is a commanding grand dame with vocal force and comic authority, while Potter’s Gaylord is a sharply drawn comic creation with impeccable timing. There are no weak links in the cast.

In fact, with such strong characters, their individual stories could be explored in greater depth. The musical numbers offer a stylish musical theatre mishmash of genres and eras: a little swing here, a Queen medley there, a musical number elsewhere. A firmer commitment to one dominant genre would give the evening more dramatic shape.

This is stylish, skilful entertainment delivered by performers with serious vocal power, comic nerve and technical polish. There is still one chance to catch this crowd-pleaser at the WundaBarn. Take it, as they don’t just can-can; they will-will entertain.

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The Blurb:

C’est Magnifique, winners of the 2025 Fringe Outgoing Touring Award and brought to you by Chocolate Box Theatre, is escapist heaven for any musical theatre fan. Step back to an imagined cabaret haunt in 1930s Paris or Berlin and join Cyril the emcee with Gaylord, Babette, Goldie, Bert and the indomitable Zelda as they perform ballads, torch songs, comedy numbers, musical theatre favourites and a pop of pop. C’est Magnifique appears in the Wunderbarn for four fabulous nights, plus a very special C’est Magnifique in the Sky aboard the iconic Brighton i360. Performed high above the seafront, it promises sparkle, sophistication and sky-high entertainment. Selling out to packed audiences with rave reviews, they don’t just can-can , they will, will; accompanied by live music and (very) high kicks! Set to take cabaret to new heights with a special performance on Brighton's i360!