Cell, Block Tango: Showtunes on Modern Dating

Cell, Block Tango was a clever premise for a cabaret show. Based on the song from Chicago, which features a number of women in a prison cell block awaiting trial for killing their partners, this had the performers blocking people from their cell phone, after a bad first date.

There were a number of bad date scenarios played out and, at the end, they read out some supplied by members of the audience for the evening. Various show tunes were adapted to suit the different situations, some comic and others serious. There was a very tender performance of “I Honestly Love You”.

The show opened with “Big Spender” and later an anxious “Maybe This Time” as hope dissipated. “Mr. Cellophane”, also from Chicago, had a couple expressing how they felt that their date hadn’t really noticed them

Andrew Iles was very strong as the leading male. Lelda Kapsis and writer Louse Baxter weren’t as strong vocally, but much of their music appeared to be set too low for their voices to have maximum impact. There was a lot of unison singing so some harmony could have added interest. The three adapted well to the different characters they portrayed and the choreography was tight.

The pianist Isaac Mouskoviaswas excellent.

The audience had no trouble relating to the various incidents and enjoyed the show.

Graham Ford