RAW: Cabaret Festival – Storm Large – 4.5K

Having come off the (auto)biographical accounts of Charles Sanders in the Cabaret Fringe, one was perhaps unprepared for another dose, this time by the ‘sexually omnivorous’ American Storm Large in the Cabaret festival itself. Not sure too many of the audience were but they sure as hell got their money’s worth.

Starting out ‘sweet’ as she described it, Ms Large then turned up the pace with her three piece band, The Balls, rattling the Space’s cage. In equal measure, loud, sexy, a passionista, seductive and appalling – her reasons for delighting in nature specials on TV great fun – Storm delighted with a tribute to ONJ of her Hopelessly Devoted To You that somewhat dismantled the girl next door image we may have retained of ‘our’ Olivia after her opening night concert.

Her Pat Benatar rendition of Heart Breaker was a highlight and many of the pout numbers would have put Cher to shame. Her signature song, 8 Miles Wide rounds off a great show.

But to be sure this is a carefully crafted show. It never descends into girlie bar slease or wallows in rock’s excesses and throughout (and despite a colourful history with drugs), Large ensured we knew she possesses a wonderful voice that can convey true emotion and delight amongst the verses that thrashed it out.

This was great entertainment, good escapist fun but with talent to spare.

Kryztoff Rating  4.5K

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