The Lavender Club...

venue:   Unity Theatre event:   Homotopia review date:   Wednesday, 10 November 2004 photos & words by:   Richard de Pesando [ intro | page 1 ]

review

The launch of Liverpool's Lesbian and Gay cabaret club night was a glittering affair, and that's not just describing the slash curtains and sequins. It was abit of a bloody success. It's something we've been missing for a long time and whilst other cities have run similar successful events for years (you know the ones we mean) I think we can claim to having a little bit more class. And it shows.

The Unity is a perfect venue - and the gingham tablecloths and gold chairs set a delightfully burlesque scene. Tonight's host was the lovely Lady Sean. With a shake and a shimmy (and about 20 costume changes) she managed to be rather more Liza than Liza (and I don't mean Tarbuck) and set the scene for an mixed musical and dramatic delight.

Starting off low key with the intense, subtle - avant garde (and frankly, quite grown-up) Karen Madrigal and her theatrical Mime / comic / tragic musings, we were rudely brought back down to earth by the powerful and well toned organs that are Doreen Kumquick's lungs. I've heard her sing before, we all have, but not 'properly' in the theatre - darling - and BOY! she's got some moves! She's a far better performer than I've given her credit for in the past, and if I was wearing a cap - I'd doff it to her now.

Next off - and a bit of a tasty morsel, the sublime and sinister, Rosie Lugosi, the lesbian Vampire Queen - and isn't she just. Looking spanking in spandex she slinked, slithered and sneered through a first class selection of 'modified' classics. I'll never be able to look at a Julie Andrews film again without thinking pain, mutilation and a vigorous whipping in a dark room. The mental picture she left us of the family Von Trapp being chased down the side of an Alp by machinegun toting Nazi's with bloodthirsty rotwillers will live in my black heart forever. She filled the stage like a black shadow. I was surprised how small she was in the bar afterwards, and I suspect she dresses like that all the time, even in Tesco. Her parting words to us as she faded into the night were "but dahlinks - I'm in Hammmmmbuuurrrrggg tomorrow".

A bit of a treat at the end came from the actor and comedian Terry Killkelly, better known to all of us as Terry Titter who took the opportunity to introduce a new character he's been developing. Without props or costumes he painted the vivid, funny and slightly sad picture of what it's like when a bitchy little queen grows old and grey. Quite Talking Heads in style - it's a definite winner with me and I'm looking forward to seeing this one develop.

Nice touch to tie things up was the presentation and big thank you to Gary Everett, without whom The Lavender Club - nor Homotopia would exist. Cheers for all your hard work Gary, you're a star.

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about Homotopia

The end of October 2006 sees the launch of Homotopia where Liverpool plays host to an already hugely successful queer arts festival. In association with the [cid:1148], the event is spread over several weeks and will showcase a variety of cultural events including film, theatre, comedy, heritage, cabaret and art. Click for more info and complete listings for Homotopia