Success for glittering cabaret
Tuesday August 17, 2010
A one-off performance at Barons Court Theatre proved so successful for an actress who lives just down the road from the venue that she’s been signed up for a week-long run.
It’s another short walk for Sara Cluderay, who was part of Glitter and be Gay at the West Kensington theatre found underneath the Curtains Up pub.
She is one third of the Ismena Trio who starred in the cabaret/jazz/ musical theatre production in February with her, as well as her Comeragh Road flatmate Brodie Bass.
He’s unavailable for the show this time due to other commitments so Sara has some guest performers for the run from August 24-28: Justin Brett, Donovan Chapman-Smith and Aaron Newland-Bentley, playing the role of Taylor, the Latte Boy, alternating across the week.
She said: “The company are delighted to be able to return to Barons Court as it’s such a fantastic fringe theatre, and to have the opportunity for a week of performances is great.
“Previously, the show has always had one-off performance dates. As a local resident, it’s wonderful for me to be able to support the theatre – what better way than to put on a show there, in the same street as my flat?”
Glitter and Be Gay has been continually developed and expanded since it was first performed at Southwark Playhouse in June last year.
It features a diverse range of songs from musical theatre, jazz and cabaret, including Rodgers & Hammerstein, Bernstein, Kurt Weill and contemporary composers.
Sara said: “It has great songs, characters ranging from the comic to the tragic, and some very beautiful music, both well-known and new. Highlights include songs from shows including Oklahoma!, The Last 5 Years, Candide and The Music Man.”
The tagline is ‘A Guide to Life’, and Sara takes the role of Doctor Sara, a self-styled agony aunt or ‘life facilitator’.
She said: “Doctor Sara tries to solve the problems of the various characters portrayed in the songs, and she even offers to help the audience – and the musicians – with some of their own problems, but as more details emerge of her ‘love affair’ with Taylor the Latte Boy, perhaps the audience will realise that Doctor Sara is the one with the problem?
“Taylor might have to resort to desperate measures to stop things from going too far, but will that tip Doctor Sara over the edge? I guess you’ll have to come and see the show to find out.”
Sara added: “It’s fantastic to be able to work with such great performers, and our musicians are excellent too.
“Ismena’s pianist Katharine Woolley is a real asset to the company. She is also the assistant musical director on the hit West End show Jersey Boys, and has played piano for other West End shows including Avenue Q, so we’re lucky to have her.
“The inclusion of cellist Mayda Narvey in the show provides a unique musical sound, and the combination of piano, cello and voice is something that audience members always comment upon as being one of the highlights. Canadian-born Mayda, who has toured with major orchestras in Canada and North America, is our very own ‘onewoman orchestra’.
Singer Sara has recently returned from a choral tour to New York City, where she sang with the choir of St Andrew’s Church, Fulham, at landmark venues including the Cathedral of St John the Divine and St Thomas’s Church Fifth Avenue.
She managed to fit in a little bit of cabaret singing too at Manhattan’s famous piano bar Don’t Tell Mama. So, where next? Sara said: “Next stop for Glitter and Be Gay – New York? That would be just fabulous!”
Glitter and Be Gay is at Barons Court Theatre, Curtains Up pub, Comeragh Road, W14, from August 24-28. To book tickets call 020 8932 4747 or for more details email: baronstheatre@hotmail.com.
