Tales from the Bitten Peach

Juicy with Zest

Tales from the Bitten Peach

Pan Asian Cabaret at the Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square, West End until 21^st September

Review by Denis Valentine

As a show Tales from the Bitten Peach is first and foremost a highly entertaining affair, with some very impressive cabaret set pieces and acts, yet under the surface of all the lights, sounds, dancing, music and fire there are poignant messages interlaced throughout.  For anyone really listening and watching closely, there is great room for thought and a chance for better insight and understanding of some of the trials and tribulations of Asian culture, whether it be in terms of being reflective in on itself or on a globally viewed level.

A strong point to proceedings is that this is a cabaret show that looks to tell a story, and each piece has a serving point to the overall narrative.  Rather than just different acts coming on one after the other, there is always an advancement in the narrative behind them.  The audience follows Mahatma Khandi on their journey and on her journey, there is a reason for her meeting each new character and the subsequent performance that follows. 

The show starts with a great energy and this does not let up throughout.  Sigi Moonlight, as the host and guide operating between the stage and aisle, anchors the show and each new piece with vivacity and a brilliantly fun and fitting performance.  Their character works perfectly well alongside Khandi as the story’s lead figure whose performance is again wonderfully fun and, on a level, so befitting of the occasion. 

Each performer in the show is highly talented in their craft and, as with many variety cabaret shows, what someone takes away as their favourite number is a matter of personal choice and there is plenty here to choose from.  Jason Kwan gives a wonderful vocal performance, which I may say, was a standout highlight of the first half.  Jackie Le taking to the air in the second half of the show was quite the spectacular sight and again any number of the different acts on offer could be individually picked out for praise.  The entire cast, including Evelyn Carnate, Lilly Snatchdragon, Dosa Cat, Duane Nasis, Le Fil, Jackie Le, and Sunny the Snake Boy (and their hardworking stage hands) all deserve praise. 

On a deeper level this is also a show that is looking to highlight, celebrate and raise awareness of pan-Asian and gender diverse issues.  There are messages laced into the show throughout and there is plenty of opportunity for intellectual thought and realisation to be derived, as well as entertainment.  A very poignant example comes from a piece in the second half with a voiceover, whilst two characters are struggling over chains of restraint, as to why Cho Chang from the Harry Potter series, a Chinese character was able to have a name made up of two Korean surnames without question.

The staging and costumes are all of a high cabaret standard.  The fact that the show is running at the Underbelly outside, but in an almost tent-like structure, gives a classic circus style enjoyment vibe and really helps heighten the mood for the fun and entertainment that is about to ensue. 

On the surface The Bitten Peach is a wonderfully fun cabaret show that offers many entertaining moments through a story riddled with the different performance style elements that the medium can bring.  For those in attendance looking not just for a fun night, but a celebration of culture and recognition of some of the deeper aspects that are so often ignored, there is plenty of that to be found within its glitz and glamour too. 

Denis Valentine, September 2024

Photography by Underbelly and Ena Begovic