The Bongo Club Cabaret

Before the audience can properly settle, MC Extraordinaire Dusty Limits is accosting those not sitting nearer the front – “just because you’re up the back doesn’t mean you’re safe”. He is camp, patronising, confronting and is easily the star of tonight’s performance.

The Bongo Club Cabaret is the self-confessed remedy to the commercialisation of the Edinburgh fringe. This performance includes magic, singing and Spanish tap, Burlesque strip-tease being notably absent.

After Dusty’s audience banter, harassment and a wonderfully sexy rendition of When I’m a stranger here myself, Oliver Meech is introduced as the first act. A bit low-energy, he nevertheless has the audience involved and on their feet and renders them into a state of how did he do that?

Next up are improv comedy troupe the May Days, who perform two improvised songs, their first being quite painful and the cleverness of the second smacking of preparation. What third act Susanna McDonald initially lacks in stage presence and energy, she makes up for with her rich voice and layering of live recorded sounds and vocals.

Isabel Hertaeg bursts onto the stage with verve and sensuality, redeeming her performance from the previous night at the Ukulele Cabaret with a cute and droll explanation of the discovery of the female orgasm and a sweet rendition of F**k her gently.

The climax of the evening is Tap Olé, with fabulous feet from the tappers and incredible finger work from the guitarists. Proper Bongolians.

Dusty refuses to fall into the trap of waxing too enthusiastic on his performers: a warm welcome and a final plug, he allows them to perform for themselves and fuses the evening with his intrusive and electrifying presence, amidst the wonderfully shabby cabaret space that is The Bongo Club.