The Candy Topps - Femme Fatale

The Candy Topps are back at the Butterfly Club.  Kitty (Emma Clair Ford), Fifi (Jennifer Robinson) and Stella (Elenor Adams) are a self-aware retro trio (think the Andrews Sisters with spice and doubles entendres).  In matching red floral dresses that cling to their curves – another retro touch nowadays – and fascinators, they bump and grind and tease the audience.

They are also superb musicians.  Their close harmonies – sometimes rendered a cappella – with intricate, clever lyrics, are tight, exuberant and exciting.  In their retro choreography, albeit restrained by the Butterfly Club’s tiny stage, they are in perfect sync – and their movements support the lyrics and reach out to the audience.  Their pianist, Daniele Buatti – who touchingly looks at the girls adoringly when he’s not playing – provides the right support without being overwhelming (thus breaking a Butterfly Club convention). 

The show, according to the girls’ acknowledgements, was created and directed by Jacqui Hoy and Alister Smith.  Well done, them.  But there’s no doubt Mss Ford, Robinson and Adams were active participants, apparently providing their own brilliant arrangements. 

If I have a quibble – and it’s minor - it’s that these femmes could be just a little more fatales.  They’re naughty but nice, but more nice than naughty.  So the occasional ‘shocking’ gag and their quotes from Sophie Tucker via Bette Midler – suitably ‘outrageous’ – sound just that little bit self-conscious and therefore rushed.  A minor quibble as I say.  The songs are clever, saucy, ironic and beautifully delivered.  A full house had a very good time.

Michael Brindley