It’s Come to This

Purrfect

It’s Come to This

by Meow Meow

Impatient Productions at the Soho Theatre until 24^thMay

Review by Heather Moulson

Meow Meow is an incredible force. I had had the pleasure of seeing this enigmatic performer at Underbelly on the South Bank some years ago. I did not need asking twice to go along to her cabaret show again.

In a deceptively small auditorium at the Soho Theatre, on the dark set there is a stepladder and there is “The End” pinned up on a background banner.

In a significant impactful beginning, the star herself wafts on stage clad in stunning taffeta and a basque. The last word in glamour, the iconic Meow Meow goes through some weighty stage management with a grand piano. She then proceeds to haul on one of the technical crew who unravels a wonderful pianist, who goes on to enhance the star’s bawdy and witty persona, and of course her incredible singing voice.

Bringing a climax to the middle of the show, we had the pleasure of Meow Meow crowd surfing. Although this is the second time I had witnessed this clever feat, it is anxiety-inducing and excruciating to watch … … and then, my oh my, to help her get carried across the audience, when I grew wary of her six-inch stilettos. Such a clever and unique move.

Bringing the aura of Marlene Dietrich and the glory days of Weimar Berlin cabaret to life, the atmosphere is dark and smoky. With volunteers from the audience, it all becomes intimate. And funny. This is a singer who knows no bounds.

I had the pleasure of having my coat taken by the lovely Meow Meow as she walked among our aisles, highly risky with the narrow space and her lethal but enticing shoes. Since she was helping herself to many handbags, I kept my Louis Vuitton (only kidding) under the seat! A very nice stage manager handed our things back after the show and I won’t be washing that coat again!

Like any fringe season, Meow Meow had to leave the stage at an allotted time. However, the artiste incongruously gave a speech about war and human nature and history, that really made us look at ourselves. The trouble with this was that it was hard to get back onto a humorous level again, especially with the crowd surfing climax already complete. Plus some of the musical numbers could be heavy-going, but Meow Meow’s natural tragi-comedic flair carried this all off.

I would happily go along and see this dazzling and outrageous star of “kamikaze cabaret” again, and again. It’s an amazing experience.

Heather Moulson, May 2025

Photography by Magnus Hastings and Karl Giant