Fire, spectacle and excitement explode in the heart of Soho through this bombastic cabaret experience playing at one of the most intimate venues in the West End. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if this colourful birthday themed show truly painted the town red.
The title is not a joke. For a moment, I genuinely thought I was in to review a show based on the Meryl Streep movie. Yes, I’m aware that this was advertised as a comedy (the show, I mean). I know it sounds truly crazy. And true, the vision’s hazy. But I swear someday there’ll be… Sorry, I don’t know where that came from. Anyway, the thing is that it did feel a bit weird to see an auditorium dressed for a birthday party. Turns out the title was not quite what I was expecting – and neither was the performance.
Welcome to Sophie’s Surprise 29th, a new cabaret montage playing at the heart of Soho, bringing the camp, fun and few drunks (you’ll have to cope with that kind audience, I’m afraid) in a joyous celebration of the first victim that enters the theatre. Structured as a variety show, featuring all sorts of acrobatics, dance snippets and good dose of humour, this lively rendition is, by all means, an ultimate feel-good experience, mixing some incredible talent with several uproarious moments and, all in all, providing us with an extremely amusing piece of entertainment all the way through.
Using the birthday party as a loose yet still guiding thread, the production is a visual treat in every aspect – regaling us with jaw-dropping sequences guaranteed to bring the adrenaline high and the applause even higher. Performed with flair, presence and rapport, the company’s commitment to their numbers is astoundingly refreshing (exuding some of the best executed physical numbers the West End has offered in the last year -that includes the whole 2023-, apart from the ongoing spectacularity both renditions and staging in general manage to assemble altogether.
There’s a few glitches to be pointed out, nonetheless, as despite its “friends gathering” setting, the piece does not exploit the possibilities of its theming to a great extent. One can’t help but thinking that the unexpected birthday girl should be brought onstage for the whole preshow time, and also be given a proper opening number based on her. There are acknowledgements that are made, but those don’t feel sufficient to create a cohesive narrative that would take it to a entirely new level – something which, anyhow, the second act accomplishes in a more complete way that the first one.
In any case, if you’re looking for some light enjoyment, a whole lot of laughter and a few awestruck gasps, then Sophie’s Surprise is a definite watch to start warming up your humour before summer approaches – and then we realize there’s nothing funny about the UK wheather. It’s an absolute gift to go and to be taken to. And if there’s anyone you dislike, just make sure they’re sitting in the front row. You can thank me later.
All pictures credit to Craig Sugden.
Sophie’s Surprise plays at London’s Underbelly Boulevard until 28 June. Tickets are available on the following link.