Janie Dee's Beautiful World Cabaret is a cabaret show with a wonderful initiative by Janie Dee to raise awareness of climate change and its consequences. First inspired by her own children's acts of activism when performing at the National Theatre (Stephen Sondheim's Follies), Janie Dee has taken up her children's chant, transforming it into a pro-active battle cry. But using music, mirth and merriment to do so, thus creating this beautiful cabaret.
Through song, story, spoken word, music and movement, Dee has a moving and inspiring cabaret show that warms the heart. The show stays true to its name, giving the audience a front row seat to an intimate performance from the sensational talent that is Janie Dee. Her usual brand of cheeky mischief, charm, hilarious reactions, wit and good humour is peppered throughout and lures the audience into her spell-binding performance. Crisp and clear, Dee's vocals are as angelic as ever and reminds the audience of why she is a phenomenal talent, easily taking on a large variety of songs and styles.
Admirably, Dee steers away from ever drawing attention to her own glamorous career as a West End leading lady, choosing only to incorporate personal recollections if they assist the message of the show. An example was her decision not to buy or wear make up to help reduce plastic consumption, or how she'd helped produced a wonderful creative and scientific event to raise awareness for climate change, but was forced to shut down due to covid. Dee also encourages audience's to implement small changes in their lives and to make the move from being hypocrites to activism, with an array of easy suggestions.
The show makes sure to never preach at the audience and keeps the mood lighthearted and amusing in the first act, and profoundly whimsical in the second act. Through a clever selection of songs, chosen for their lyrics of titles, Dee explores the toxic relationship that humans have with the Earth, but never strays into a darker perspective. Nevertheless, her sprinkling of facts between song verses (such as the Nightingale bird is now 90% extinct, and there is a landfill thrice the size of France and many more) makes an impact.
The Musical Director (Jordan Paul Clarke) has created a wonderful symphony of Cabaret songs, ranging from Sondheim to Shakespeare, and Lehrer to Vivaldi. Elegantly perched behind the piano, Clarke has composed a lovely soundtrack for the show, showcasing the best of Dee's vocals talent, alongside songs that bring their own meaning into the show and are thoughtfully placed. Clarke's music helps elevate this cabaret from a show to an experience, adding a little allure to it.
Accompanying Dee and Clarke are the extremely talented musicians Sarah Harrison (violin) and Igor Outkine (accordion) whose skills are highlighted in long interludes of classic music, and their own featured moments. The second act opens with Harrison and Outkine playing and deservedly received a collective audible sigh of joy from the audience. Harrison, at a later point in the show, manages to create the impression of a birdsong using her nimble fingers and tightened strings, creating a wonderfully authentic sound.
Dee is occasionally joined onstage by singer Josephina Ortiz- Lewis and and spoken word performer Sophia Priolo. Both Lewis and Priolo dance alongside Dee, but also thrive in their own choreographed movements in the background of Dee's songs. Priolo serves as the show's choreographer and creates some soothing, yet strangely mesmerising movements that are a lovely addition to the vocals. Ortiz-Lewis also duets with Dee, creating a wonderful paradox in their relationship, stepping into a mother/child relationship, whilst simultaneously representing humanity/Earth.
Ortiz-Lewis is also given a solo in the second act and brings a delicate clarity to her song, as she sings, steadfast, staring into the makeshift moon. It's a serene moment and once that takes the audience's breath away. Priolo brings her spoken word piece Garbage Jargon as the first words in Act Two, and it is a striking performance. Incredibly poised, Priolo uses the wit and wisdom of language to find a brilliant way of rendering the audience at a loss for their own words through her piece.
The second act has a sharp tonal shifts, with a sombre mood, yet the standard of the show remains excellent. Perhaps sensing this, Dee and Clarke end the show with a jolly Shakespearean style gig. Janie Dee's Beautiful World Cabaret is the perfect mix of light hearted fun, gorgeous songs and a powerful call for immediate action. Inspiring and Memorable, Janie Dee's show and message isn't one to be missed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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