By Arne Sjostedt
High Notes Circus
The Abbey, Saturday 24 August 2019
This was a classy evening of cabaret music and slick circus acts that played to a full and appreciative house. Old, familiar tunes, and interpretations of new ones (Oasis’ Wonderwall and a showing of Britney Spears’ Toxic) entertained the packed room, showing off the polished sounds of the tight Spectrum Big Band.
A spicy introduction kicked the night into a turn about Liza Minnelli’s Cabaret, then followed a clever (multiple) hat dance, juggling, acrobatics and more — all swinging to and between each cabaret tune.
The acts and sultry song choices wooed the post dinner audience into a duel sense excitement and romantic calm, hypnotising them into a warm glow of appreciative circus and cabaret inspired joy.
Each performance without question was flawless. This goes for the musicians in the band, each singer and of course the circus acts.
It was clear from the presentation of the room, and the impressive quality of each act that producers had made certain that every care was taken to make sure this was as perfect an evening as possible. And they succeeded.