The London Cabaret Awards at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern

Comedy, burlesque, dance and musical entertainment were the order of the night at the second annual Excess All Areas London Cabaret Awards. The ceremony took place at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern with enough flamboyant vigour to light up the Embankment. 

The producer and founder of the awards show, Paul L Martin, proudly opened proceedings, defending the art of cabaret, which is often unjustly undermined in the media and by performers who ply their trade in mainstream entertainment.

Hosted by The Divine Miss Em, this exhibition in low budget glamour was a joy to behold. The much coveted accolade for Best Drag Act Award eventually went to Myra Dubois, who is a popular star within the scene. Naturally able to hold the room when accepting and presenting the awards, she had the crowd rolling with rapturous laughter every time she appeared on stage.

The audience was also treated to performances throughout the show, which kept entertainment levels at a high. The beautiful burlesque troupe The Folly Mixtures brought some classy titillation with a wonderful striptease routine. The winner of the Best Musical Variety Act, Sarah Louise Young, donned her French persona and became La Poule Plombée – showcasing her wit and a fantastic voice to boot. The Audience Award winner, Alp Haydar, also took to the stage with his act that can be best described as a singing and stripping Bin Laden impersonator. Though offensive enough to cause outrage in the Middle East, it is outrageously brave and funny. 

The London Cabaret Awards was a delightful event that deserves more recognition and exposure. Amid the general fun, it was nice to see artists who did not take themselves too seriously, rather basking in the joy of wine and champagne. Only in its second year, the Excess All Areas London Cabaret Awards will surely go from strength to strength.

Verdict: ••••

Samuel Mensah

Photos: Arnaud Stephenson

For the complete London Cabaret Awards 2013 winners list, click here. 

For further information and events at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, click here.