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Blink!

Published Thursday 16 July 2009 at 12:55 by Scott Matthewman

A cabaret of songs from unsuccessful musicals will be made or broken by the selection of material. Save for a couple of misses, Blink’s repertoire provides for an evening packed with memorable and occasionally well-known numbers.

A flexible approach to the brief accommodates shows that succeeded in Broadway but flopped in London (or vice versa) as frequently as shows that anyone could see had no chance. This allows moments such as Tim McArthur’s rendition of La Cage Aux Folles’ I Am What I Am, which is easily on a par with the current West End version.

That number is the most effective of the ballads included. The cast are clearly more comfortable, however, with the comedy numbers which make up the majority of the running time. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping version of the Silence of the Lambs or an inspired medley of numbers gleefully ridiculing actor-musician revivals, there are numerous opportunities for belly laughs from an ensemble that is clearly revelling in the material.

The weakest elements come when the actors must drop out of character and narrate the history of the dud shows direct. While there is an element of humour to be had from their frequent fluffs, more work clearly needs to be done to improve what is already a high quality evening.

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