Josefina Gabrielle/Rebecca Thornill

Published Wednesday 25 May 2005 at 13:50 by Mark Shenton

These two West End leading ladies have both done stints, separately, as Roxie Hart in Chicago and appeared together as part of The Witches of Eastwick triumvirate. They now step into the spotlight to play the hardest roles, potentially, of all - themselves. Cabaret is a uniquely exposing art form and a very difficult genre to get right. There is no character to hide behind and no other resources to distract the audience’s attention or rely upon.

Neither Josefina Gabrielle nor Rebecca Thornhill have yet acquired sufficient confidence to fully carry this off on their own and it is striking, therefore, that the cabaret show they have put together works best when they are onstage together. Now supported by each other, they blossom and bloom. But on their own, there is a tentativeness and surprising reticence to show off the personalities behind their undoubted talents.

This is particularly the case with Gabrielle. We find out little about her life or career, beyond the fact that she clocked up some 700 performances in the most recent revival of Oklahoma! at the National and in the West End and subsequent Broadway transfers. Thornhill is more forthcoming. She is particularly amusing on her first night of going into Cats and there is a nice bit about meeting her husband Earl Carpenter. She also has the brassier, more upfront vocal delivery.

There is lyricism and warmth to Gabrielle’s voice, too but while they may have both stretched their vocal cords, neither did much with the limbs that make them stand out, too. Ê