Weekend Notes - Let the Odditorium take you on a delightful adventure - A Review
When I think of Vaudeville, I think of a mix of acts usually with a Victorian or Steampunk style. I don't think I've ever seen a variety performance that fits those particulars - until tonight.
For those of you wondering what it is - vaudeville is a style of entertainment that was popular in the early 20th century and was usually a diverse range of acts. It would consist of singers, magicians, mimes and more. With the birth of cinema, this style of entertainment went in to decline.However, ladies and gentlemen... I present to you a spectacular revival in the true vaudevillian style - The Odditorium!
Think 'The Greatest Showman' or 'Moulin Rouge' but no autotune and completely live. Anything can happen but what's a certainty is you'll get value for money. These three will make you laugh and amaze you at the same time."What is this thing called Odditorium?" our hostess Sophie asks rhetorically. "We don't know either but it could be anything you want it to be." And well, I want it to be just what the trio presented me with tonight.The audience is plunged into darkness and greeted by a spectacular, yet naughty, songstress Sophie Delightful. She's saucy and hilarious and plunges with gusto into her personal rendition of the song 'Poor Unfortunate Souls'.
Mr. Marmalade arrives on stage - incredible moustache attached, briefcase and doctor's bag in tow. His sleight of hand is impressive and will have you think "what the…? How did he do that?" but he'll also make you laugh with well-told stories of his grandpa's introduction to magic. And does he have a photographic memory or not? I'll let you decide when he gets a member of the audience to pick a page from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes at random and can tell you the opening line.After the intermission, Sophie comes back. "I'm excited because the guy coming up...you're about to get a treat... in fact, he was the brains behind this whole thing," Sophie tells us. She's, of course, referring to the concept behind their vaudeville troupe, Odditorium.The second act - Mr. Jeff - had me wondering what label to give it. There just wasn't one particular category Mr. Jeff fell under. It was circus. It was mime. It was clowning in a modern take on the traditional but my favourite was definitely his performance with the giant hoop - the strength and skill and sheer speed will amaze you.This is two hours well spent and you'll leave with a sense of excitement thinking, "I want more of this. The Odditorium needs to appear again."Tips: Book online - click here. Their opening night was sold out. The best seats for viewing and holding drinks are the tables at the front - but be prepared - you might be sat on my Miss Sophie Delightful or asked to join in one of the acts.There is a bar selling snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at good prices.Facebook link for Odditorium
