Madame Zingara's Theatre of Dreams

Madame Zingara's Theatre of Dreams

20 February, 2009
by: Longboy

The Theatre of Dreams is contained in the glittering surroundings of a Spiegel Tent constructed out of wood, mirrors and stained glass and situated in front of Battersea Power Station (a fun contrast). The show is fantastic. Kicking off with a superb acro-balance routine involving a performer lifting their partner in mid-air from almost ground level up to standing with one arm. The aerial routines are superb, especially one which involves three performers executing delicate and shapely suspensions whilst hanging from a spherical cage which they rotate in the air.

The production of the show is fantastic with a hydraulic, revolving stage that is raised and lowered for every act and beautifully set lighting that casts quadruple shadows on the velvet canopy. During one interval, an enormous black diva and 3 backing singers entertain us with Motown sung to a backing track, which though it might sound cheesy was performed really well (and who can resist a bit of classic soul). Top marks.

The dinner is less than you might expect given the price (£75-115) although the bottom lines on a show of this kind are often higher than one would imagine. This is demonstrated by the constant hassle to buy wine (made worse by my table's steadfast refusal to do so because we are all skint) and the dreadful quality of the main course, which consists of enormous hunks of low-grade meat or fish in crude sauces. Fillet of beef in chilli and chocolate sauce, rack of lamb and salmon sound impressive and are all clearly chosen to give us the feeling of being fed in grand style, but given the poor quality I would have settled for the introductory mini-mojito, dessert and the show - all of which are delectable.

Cabaret has had a major resurgence over the past few years. Since the explosion in popularity of Lost Vagueness at Glastonbury Festival what was very much a specialist scene - the preserve of artists or the wealthy - is now absorbed by many, either intentionally or because its now a regular fixture on the party and festival circuit. In a sense this revival has democratised the artform and put it back into small basement clubs for as little as a £5 cover charge. Given the high cost of this show and the comparatively poor value for money of this pseudo-opulence I think the change is a thoroughly good thing.

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Longboy