Divas London promises audiences the ultimate party show and it no doubt delivers every moment of camp cabaret fan viewers expect.
The celebration of iconic music divas is having a triumphant return in London’s West End after a sellout run last year and it’s easy to see why.
Stepping foot onto the Tattershall Castle boat on a sunny Saturday afternoon, a room full of strangers could easily be mistaken for a reunion between long-lost friends.
The crowd quickly picked up the role of backup singers for their favorite pop hits from the last six decades and by the grand finale everyone was on their feet trying to keep up with the talented dancers and slotting in as backup singers for the three immensely talented songstresses.
However, the only thing holding back this production is, tragically, everything out of their control.
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As host Simon Gross pointed out during the performance, enjoying a cabaret show on the Thames just opposite the London Eye making it a truly awe-inspiring spectacle but such a venue does bring some compromises.
The intensely cozy room can quickly get unbearably warm and the staggeringly small stage offers little for the performers to work with as even the bare minimal lighting setup almost became a hazard for the dancers.
As a party show, the production also attracts the usual rowdy crowds and in such a tight venue even the slightest chatter can completely shatter the atmosphere while the seating, evidently not created for a show like this, means few have a good view of the performers for a majority of the show.
Despite all of this, and a few other hopefully once-off dilemmas, the three leading stars and their host manage to keep spirits up, laughs flowing and heads bopping for the full two-hour set, although it feels nowhere close to that runtime.
The sensational vocals of Hayley Maybury, Pritti Almedia and Amber Atkinson hit every iconic note from the Spice Girls to Aretha Franklin and the backing visuals by dancers Jared Stants and Joshua Dance give this show something for every viewer to enjoy.
Last but not least, host Simon Gross has an inimitable talent for controlling chaos without throttling the party and the tight quarters almost aide the close connection between the performers and their audience.
Despite its flaws, Divas London is undoubtedly a unique must-see for a sensational time in London’s West End and you’ll be far-stretched to find another show of this caliber for the same price.
