Review: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2017: MONEYPENNY: A JAMES BOND CABARET at Upstairs At La Boehme

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Saturday 18th February 2017

This clever, fun filled production, Moneypenny: A James Bond Cabaret, is 50 minutes of 007 indulgence, seen through the eyes of his ever-faithful Moneypenny. Sascha Kelly is the cardigan-clad and bespectacled uber-secretary, sharing her (possibly) requited love for all versions of Bond, James Bond.

With a great voice and a good vocal range, Kelly effortlessly slides from Shirley Bassey's growl in Goldfinger, to the lighter style of the McCartneys in Live and Let Die, and most of the iconic Bond theme songs of the last 50-odd years. The audience is given the position of temporarily taking Moneypenny's job whilst she holidays, (with Bond, is the subtle intimation), and instructed through her daily routine.

Utilising recognisable voice recordings from the film, interspersed with Kelly's live responses, and using some amusing props, the story is cleverly told by the Bond theme songs. The seven-piece orchestra was appropriately suave, and did justice to the sexy Bond sounds with which we are so familiar.

his show is a collaboration between Sascha Kelly and first violinist and arranger, Justina Liu, and more than ably supported by Angel Duan, second violin, Dori Hanner, viola, Troy Rogan, cello, Stephen Spencer, double bass, Bobby Eggleston, drums, and Frances Cameron, keyboards. The arrangements recreated the 007 sound for an intimate space with great success. This is a very enjoyable show that I highly recommend. I would have quite happily sat through it again.

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