‘This is the year of cabaret at the Fringe!’, exclaims an exuberant Des O’Connor (no not that one, this one is really rather young and yummy). Des is our besparkled host, with remarkably independently-mobile hips and two beautiful showgirls in tow, and for the next 75 minutes he will lead us on a dazzling romp though some of the best cabaret acts on offer at the Fringe this year. Although the acts change each night, the show promises to be a sparkling effervescent affair with Des at the helm. He is charismatic, and glamorous, and strikes an easy rapport with his vast audience. Never has a man looked more comfortable liberally daubed with facepaint and crystals in front of a rapt 250-strong audience.The show presented an excellent variety of acts, both invited and home-grown. We were treated to comedy songs and music from Fascinating Aida, East End Cabaret, Sarah-Louise Young, Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer and Des himself on the ukelele; dance and physical prowess from pole performer Ed Muir, the Kitch Kats, and Vive’s own dance troupe Hustle; magic from Pete Firman and Mat Ricardo; and stand up comedy from Norman Lovett. Regardless of who’s on offer on the night you go, you can believe in the persuasive power of the Vive le Cabaret team to make sure they are some of the finest the Fringe has to offer, it will be a fantastic night.Never has an hour and a quarter passed faster. Never have I been more engrossed. Never has my face been more sore after a solid hour of grinning fascination. Never has my bottom been more sore from perching on the edge of my seat, and never have my hands been more abused by almost constant applause. Des has brought genuine showmanship to Edinburgh’s cabaret year, and if you love cabaret, this is a must-see.
