Vérité Cabaret Presents On the Banks of The Seine A magical and mysterious, dark and beautiful cabaret-with-a-difference at The Lyric Theatre, Bridport Saturday 30th June 2.30 pm and 8pm
Fancy a stroll around the back streets of Paris, a tour of underground Buenos Aires and some show-stopping chansons without having to cross the English Channel? Bi-lingual Jazz/cabaret singer-songwriter Bethany Jameson and master accordionist Romano Viazzani are bringing their stunning new show, On the Banks of The Seine, to Bridport’s Lyric Theatre on Saturday 30th June. There will be a matinee at 2:30pm with French nibbles and an evening performance at 8pm with an invite to dress up for a Moulin Rouge-themed evening.
Originally created as a commission for the London Bastille Day Festival in 2009, On the Banks of The Seine went down a storm with critics and audience as a duo concert, performed by Bethany and Romano. It is now a full evening of Cabaret, music and song and the duo is now a quartet. Bethany says, “The new songs are in the modern cabaret tradition that includes Fascinating AIDA, Tim Minchin and Camille O’Sullivan, but also doffs a cap to past masters of Variety, Morecombe and Wise. We’re not quite as ‘blue’ or experimental as some of the more extreme acts out there. We focus on making gorgeous music, getting to know our audiences and having fun, and in our dignified if slightly wicked way, make a point on a few subjects that matter to us.”
The show mixes some compelling storytelling (in English) with gorgeous French chansons and sultry Tangos (1930s to modern day) as well as the cabaret songs. The signature song ‘Just Her Younger Man’ was judged ‘a showstopper’ by London Fringe Theatre. Bethany adds “Our new songs cover politics, the beauty products myth, looking after aging parents and getting old disgracefully. The chansons and Tango pieces are about the poor and downtrodden of the harbours and back streets so there’s plenty of humour but it’s fairly black!”
The new team members are well known and respected musicians in their own right and much in demand, so they cover the performances between them. The virtuoso violinists are Declan Daly (classical, jazz and folk, recorded for Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter) and Sarah Harrison (Mazaika, Fascinating AIDA, gypsy jazz and tango styles). The exceptional double bass players are Nick Pini (Puppini Sisters, Alan Pownall, Soko, Mitch Winehouse, Laura Marling and Jac Jones) and Neil Charles (Ex-Tomorrow’s Warrior, former member of Empirical, Leader of Zed-U: classical double bass and electric jazz bass).
Theatre co-owner, Niki McCretton, said, “We’re really excited and proud to be able to have this enchanting and unique show here at The Lyric. We are pleased to be able to present a matinee performance as well as the evening show by popular request from local people”
Expect plenty of retro glitz and glamour, gentle (and some not-so-gentle), witty new lyrics and tunes you will hum all the way home.
Saturday 30th June 2:30pm (matinee) and 8pm. Tickets £11 and £9 (concessions) from www.bethanyjameson.co.uk or www.the-lyric.com, Call 01308 423951, e-mail tickets@the-lyric.com or pop into The Lyric (9 Barrack St, Bridport, DT6 3LX), Fruits of The Earth (Victoria Grove, Bridport) or Bridport Music (South St, Bridport.)
