Wild Cards and Beach Balls

When the Ghillie Dhu was converted from a grubby casino into a pleasure palace, it became the natural home for the cabaret scene. While the summer sees it become The Pleasance's home for cabaret, a variety of variety nights has already established themselves within its colonnades.

If burlesque is struggling to grow beyond the confines of its own scene,  both The Cat's Miaow and Miss Fitzgerald's Post Modern Mixers are pursuing alternative strategies. Hosted by Edinburgh's own Wild Card Kitty- her presentation is controversial, but shares a cynical and aggressive bite with many of the bigger name compere- The Miaow mixes a burlesque line up with a New Orleans atmosphere of sleazy jazz and opulent decadence.

As an MC, Kitty is deliberately awkward: she possesses a manic intensity that often dissipates into a wistful anxiety, and escapes from the cliche of the compere as a genial interlude. The last Miaow starred Cherry Loco and Vendetta Vain: La Loco's appearances within Scotland have been relatively rare of late, and his two routines showcased his increasingly flamboyant costumes and complex play of tradition and finesse. The July line up promises a secret guest star, alongside scene favourites Dolly Tartan and Champagne Charlie.

The Beach Ball, the latest of the Post-Modern Mixers, fires off in a radically different direction. The last Mixer was a late Weimar romp, with Gypsy Charms and Viva Misadventure heading up the entertainment while bands entertained and a vintage market place occupied half of the ballroom. The Beach Ball stars Leggy Pee- hopefully without her salacious partner Charlie Montgomery- The Academy of Cabaret and Burlesque and DJ Lord Holyrule.

The Mixers are a genuine attempt to bring together many of the aspects that have combined in the cabaret revival: clothing is for sale, the audience make an effort to dress in period style: spread over a Sunday afternoon, it is not just another nightclub but a fascinating mixture of social club, gig and market.