SEXY, suave and shocking are what I associate with Proud Cabaret, but sadly this show only has them sparingly.
The latest production from the team at Proud Embankment is a rather PG show called Flirty Dancer.
It roughly tells the story of Dirty Dancing, which is about a young girl (Baby) falling in love with the resorts' bad boy dance teacher (Jonny Castle).
If you're looking for a raunchy night out, I suggest you keep looking.
The lead characters on the night I attended were being played by understudies Thomas Brackley and Emma Rose.
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Given they were thrown into their respective roles at the last minute, they coped well.
Both are seasoned dancers, and I've spotted them in pervious Proud shows.
But the chemistry I'd expect between romantic leads sadly wasn't there – I have no doubt that if they'd had preparation time it probably would have been.
While some acts incorporated into the show are breathtaking – they don't necessarily fit into the overarching storyline.
The Seifert Sisters are simply incredible aerial artists who show off their ability to defy gravity with ease.
Entwined together, the almost identical looking sister move seamlessly from trick to trick without missing a single beat.
Also raising heart rates was acrobat Matt Smith, the resident rigger at the venue.
He showed off his bulging biceps and strength, bending this way and that on a tiny plinth.
Matt appeared as an act in the resort talent show as did Jessicats who performed the risqué routine of the night with her burlesque striptease.
Emily Winters shocked the audience with her unbelievable hair hanging act, which must be even more painful than how beautiful it looks.
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The best part of the entire note was Aidan Saddler, who is so charismatic, they could convince me of almost anything. They appear as the resort owner.
From hair-raising vocals to peppering the audiences with their barbs and jokes, they single-handedly kept my faith in the show.
However, watching a half-naked clown do magic tricks wasn't on my bucket list, and I can't say I was thrilled to see it.
My biggest gripe with the show was the number of cast who had visible underwear beneath the lingerie, as it goes against the cabaret aesthetic.
Several of the girls also had the tops of their tights visible when wearing high rise leotards.
I hope the next incarnation is back to being the kind of sizzling success I love Proud Cabaret for.
Flirty Dancer
Proud Embankment, London
★★★
