Britney Spears: The Cabaret

In another world or era Christie Whelan Browne would be a Superstar with an entourage to keep the worshippers at bay. In fact, if Britney Spears had even half of Whelan Browne’s talent, she would rule the entertainment world. Browne’s seductive innocence over-rides Spears natural stupidity at every turn. She has a killer voice, looks sensational, and is one heck of an actress. Her portrayal of Britney is satirical but never cruel; her understanding of what was going on inside Britney as she spun out of control, gives depth and dimension to the character. Her rendition of ‘I am Not a Girl’ reduced me and other audience members to tears, as the actress herself let all of Spears’ pain control the lyrics. She breaks our hearts while still smiling as she recounts the betrayal by first boyfriend, Justin Timberlake. The entire show is poignant and moving as well as being very funny. In short, this is as fine a cabaret performance as you will see anywhere in the world.

It isn’t all the fabulous Christie though. Dean Bryant and Mathew Frank deserve equal praise. As a writer and director of cabaret Dean Bryant is absolutely superb, as is his partner, Musical Director Mathew Frank. Their mind blowing idea to strip back the hip-hoopla from Spears’ music and rework the numbers in cabaret style is sheer brilliance. Circus, Oops I Did It Again, Toxic and so many other forgettable pop songs take on another dimension when you can actually hear the strong melodies and meaningful lyrics. Moreover they tell a story which is magnificently tragic through laughter. Frank’s accompaniment is superb throughout; Bryant moves his star only when she has a reason to move….the result from all three is exquisite entertainment.

Sometimes Show Biz, Theatre, The Stage; whatever you want to call it, isn’t fair. If it were, all three of these remarkable talents would be in NYC collecting awards. As it is, Chapel off Chapel is a great venue and does a mean coffee at the bar, and we can see the star chatting with friends, hair pulled back, no flowers, no hordes of fans – just the aftermath of sheer theatrical magic. Do you realise just how lucky we are to have such talent here? I do.

Coral Drouyn

(PS…if the story about Timberlake is true…he’s a douche)