As the last light of a brilliant sunset poured through the stained-glass windows of the Spiegeltent and lit up the faces of the crowds, Bourgeois & Maurice took to the stage to tell us that they were going to change the world. With tricks that you can only learn after '7 years of cabaret school', sequins and shoulder-popping dance moves, our world was forever changed; well, at least for the evening. Bourgeois & Maurice provided the audience with satirical relief, as our biggest fears about the fate of world were lifted from our shoulders, and transformed, in silly, clever songs, that made us realise we aren't alone in our concerns.
Bourgeois is a (sparkly) bundle of energy; with his Club Kid outfits, he jumped his way through the audience, never aggressive, always charming and sweet. Imagine that Jake Shears, Dr Frankenfurter and Alaska Thunderf*** (of drag race fame) had a baby and you would end up with our dear Bourgeois. Counterbalancing this high energy, is Maurice Maurice, a misanthrope who mournfully tickled the ivories and harmonised with Bourgeois. Chained to the piano, there was sadness in her eyes and her giant hair that was inexplicably hilarious. Once freed from her musical prison, she danced like an elegant but awkward giraffe, never dropping her melancholy demeanour for a moment.
They seamlessly linked their ideologies with the current political climate (Bourgeois confusing the Brexit with us all having to leave the UK forever) and we were taken on a surreal trip, singing all original numbers (the most relatable of which was 'Everyone Is Having A Chem Sex Party But Me') with equal dashes of ridiculousness and truth. They reimagined Europe as a drunken mess at a party, reconsidered the innocence of childhood as a Ritalin trip, and told us it's all going to be okay because fear unites.
The show is not utterly perfect, but it doesn't need to be. The personalities of the performers negate any need for it to be totally polished, it is actually more appropriate for it to be a bit of a shambles. The audience enters prepared for anything to happen, and that's what you get.
This is a modern spin on cabaret that tackles head-on the concerns of what it is to live in a social media-centric, politically correct world. After a few furry and fabulous costume changes, we were informed that we were under a new totalitarian dictatorship, headed by our two new friends. That is totalitarily fine by me.
****
13-14 May 19:15 £13(£11) to £15(£12) [1hr]
I love the sound of this. These shows are good regardless of how polished they are - like you say. Even if they have technical shortcomings, you're still going to leave with a huge smile on your face and having thoroughly enjoyed it!