Vaudeville Cabaret

A kohl-eyed compere takes to the stage, dapper in his white tie and tails. Camping it up with a wink or two, a flick of his cane and a fair amount of sexual innuendo, Dusty Limits kicks off tonight's cabaret show with class.

What follows is best described as a two hour comedy cabaret extravaganza; seated around tables in the sexily lit Bongo Club, the audience is treated to an eclectic mix of bizarrely hilarious acts that range from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Birdsong is accurately recreated using a violin's harmonics in a technically outstanding performance by musical duo Mazaika, and breasts are coyly flashed and feathers fluttered as beautiful burlesque dancer Missy Malone struts her stuff. Faux-Croatians Mikelangelo and Undine have the crowd crying with laughter as they lament the logistical problems of sex between a man and a mermaid, and Cabaret 1927's quirky sketches, involving an inspired use of a projector, are brilliantly funny.

Luke Wright's combination of stand-up and performance poetry is, without a doubt, the highlight of the show, entertaining the audience with his brilliantly composed satirical attack on Channel 4.

Surpassing the usual 'lucky-dip' late-night comedy events, where more often than not you end up with the comic equivalent of a broken water pistol, Vaudeville Cabaret showcases consistently impressive performers throughout the evening. Held together by Dusty's sharp-tongued interludes, the show proves to be a night of top-class, innovative comedy.