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BREAKING NEWS: Patsy May brings FUN back to London’s West End!Summary
Rating
Unmissable!
In a remarkably selfless act, puppet extraordinaire Patsy May, in the safe hands (quite literally) of Laura Bacon, has done what no other has yet done, and returned FUN to the West End. Starring in a hilarious show with a selection of superlative co-performers, Patsy brought copious laughter, enjoyment and good feeling to a small audience of (socially-distanced) theatregoers.
The Phoenix Artists Club was the location of this remarkable event, which was cleverly framed as a 4pm cabaret-style performance (so allowing the audience to have a little drinky on a Sunday afternoon and get home before the news!). Patsy hit the headlines for her success in Britain’s Got Talent back in 2014, but it is clear she has so much more to give. Besides her great personality and stunning looks she has proved herself an incredible songstress, whilst still having the common touch (although I might not go so far as to say humility…). Indeed, she could be described as “the people’s puppet” – her audience just loved her, as she took us on a whirlwind international experience.
This crafted and skilfully compiled evening balanced relaxed live chat with witty video clips and consistently funny skits, whilst the talents of discerningly selected special guests lifted the bar still higher. West End musical theatre star Lee Van Geleen (Les Miserables, Only Fools and Horses) did a remarkable job in counterpointing Patsy’s cheeky humour, coping with jellied eel juice like a pro. Their amazing duet of the Eastenders theme tune was surpassed only by a quite breathtaking version of “My Friends” from Sweeney Todd : The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which left the room with goosebumps. Those two can really sing – don’t let the pink hair fool you! Their entertaining exploration of Cockney culture was further extended by BBC New Comedy Award winner Yuriko Kutani who did a magnificent job of examining the intricacies of British sarcasm and the idea of “ish”, her perceptive cross-cultural hilarity culminating in a challenging, audience-participation game of Jankenpon (or rock, paper, scissors as we know it here) with prizes. What a laugh! Patsy and Lee cleverly brought these distant cultures together with a stunning cabaret rendition of the Pokemon theme tune, whilst the audience pretended not to know what hentai is. Within this fun packed evening, with too many laughs to mention, our selfless hostess even found time to offer us the gift of puppetry – which is notoriously difficult – introducing us to the adorable Li’l Patsy in the process.
Patsy May’s show is a blast – great fun, with a deceptive quantity of amazing talent packed into a tiny package. Pacy and varied, cabaret really doesn’t get much better than this. Yes it’s adult but it’s in no way offensive. A little more incidental music from lovely pianist Toby at the start might have helped kick off the night more quickly, but that is a tiny critical observation on what was a terrific event. Patsy herself is funny, sassy, an amazing singer and host with great taste in special guests, and on top of that she is gorgeous. How does she keep her hair so nice?
Step up Britain! This girl has got so much talent, she is made to be a chat show host – someone please snap her up!!
Performed, written, produced by: Laura Bacon
This show has completed its current run.
