Review: Janie Dee presents: BEAUTIFUL WORLD CABARET with Carly Mercedes Dyer
Having covered the opening gala of the BEAUTIFUL WORLD CABARET Festival, we were back again for a solo show from musical theatre favourite, Carly Mercedes Dyer. Coming near the end of this enterprising set of shows, this was a first cabaret performance for Carly, at least according to her friends sitting at our table. And what a performance this was – and absolutely pitched at the audience at Crazy Coqs, one of the most intimate and welcoming performing spaces in the West End.
Opening by singing from the back of the audience, Carly soon showed her versatility and genuine commitment to the theme of the Festival, which is presented by environmental campaigner and musical theatre superstar Janie Dee, in association with the London Wildlife Trust. Although she was also there to give her support, Janie Dee left the stage to the star of the evening, who gave us a packed set of jazz-inflected musical theatre songs, delivered with intelligence and understanding. She included those for which she is known, including a heartfelt number from THE COLOR PURPLE, but also revelled in the chance to sing Feed Me from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS duetting with a friend, Tosh, in the front row.
Friends and family were there too to support this engaging performer, and it was a delight to see that these supporters included people who had helped her at the very beginning of her career. In between the numbers, Carly told us more about how she is trying to be more environmentally careful, and paid tribute to Janie Dee for setting up the event and inviting her to take part. The message was delivered with some amusing self-deprecation as well as genuine feeling.
Performing with the backing of a three piece band, Carly could even greet a late-arriving friend mid-song without missing a beat, and her cabaret should be just the beginning of a career in the genre alongside the many musical theatre roles she will go on to perform. Janie Dee’s Beautiful World Festival has united top-class performers like Carly Mercedes Dyer and an important message: let’s hope it becomes a regular event.
**** Four Stars
Reviewed by Chris Abbott