Cecelia
Susannah Thompson calls this her mid-life crisis cabaret. Spurred into action by the arrival of a bowel cancer screener for her 50th birthday, and her pre-teen daughter accusing her of being a Hufflepuff, this journey from 1970 to the present, through music and a chat, looks at feminism and women being silenced in various ways - especially when it comes to health care.
The title comes from the Simon and Garfunkel song “Cecelia”, the most popular song in the year of Susannah’s birth, 1970. Accompanied by pianist, Adam Keshwar, this retro cabaret opens with the title song, with other highlights including “Jolene” and “Hallelujah”. Susannah is a really likeable entertainer, who sings beautifully.
This show has some of the most captivating “patter” that you are likely to hear in a cabaret - with an excellent journey through second-wave feminism, and the issues that women face being heard, acknowledged, believed, and respected, with a nod to the bravery of these women. Susannah is a very gentle and sweet voiced speaker, but her cabaret packs an important message. A wonderful example that a well-mannered, polite, and quietly spoken woman can have very important things to say.
A great show for those in midlife, those who have had a midlife crisis or those planning one - also a fantastic show for our young women to see. A message of how far we have come and how much further we need to go.
Kimberley Shaw
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