By james art 
Ghost season may have been and gone, but plenty of evil pranksters are still going on at Birmingham’s Old Stock Joint, with their wickedly exciting gig, I let out a scream. Bringing together a quartet of talents with some impressive credits behind them for a villainous cabaret show, no mere mortal can resist a slice of some of the most diabolical temptations the world of theater has to offer. Can this spell enchant us, or will we be left feeling like poor, miserable souls?
Hosted and starring West End Best Friend’s James Edgethe show will have a short run of three performances in Birmingham before moving to the Phoenix Arts Club in London and the Yvonne Arnaud Theater in Guildford. Taking us on a journey through the greatest anti-heroes of the world of theater and film, we are presented with the meanest tunes from Little Shop of Horrors, In the forest, Entangledand even your favorite villain movie… The Lion King 2?
The show is sold out here in Brum, even on the night after Halloween, and the crowd is clearly eager for the amazing spectacle that awaits them. Fortunately, audiences aren’t disappointed – this cast sure knows how to deliver a real treat. Joining James are Hadeen Cox, Sinead Kenny and Lydia Eliza Robertsa trio of West End acts providing killer vocals for this amazing catalogue. Accompanied by the beautiful Calum Thompson on keys (and occasionally fun backing vocals), all four bring their A-game to deliver an exciting show. Sinead stuns as Mother Gothel, Miss Baltimore Crab and the criminally underrated villain Zira, among others, giving us poise and venom in spades. Hadeen Cox pulls off some real vocal back flips as he runs through songs like Heathers and Jesus Christ Superstar with both ease and dark, brooding energy. Lydia has some of the smoothest vocals imaginable and she really puts them to the test, covering super bitches like Regina George and Ursula the Sea Witch to perfection. James himself is a delightful Master of Ceremonies and switching between flawless presentation and entertaining hosting is easy for him. It keeps the audience in stitches as well as keeping the wheels greased. The band’s medley as the show opener is a particular highlight, as is their encore (no spoilers!).
Honestly, that’s exactly what a cabaret should be. Crowd-pleasing, pitch-perfect and exciting throughout, this one definitely has the crowd in its death grip – and may it never let go.
★★★★★