EDINBURGH 2013 - BWW Reviews: LE GATEAU CHOCOLAT: I HEART CHOCOLAT, Underbelly, August 17 2013
You get the impression that resistance is futile: from the dimly-lit entrance of Le Gat (that's what I'm calling him), certain corners of the audience are filled with yelps of delight, gleeful whoops and just general joy at his arrival.
If a description is necessary, Le Gat is a big, black guy with remarkable false eyelashes, a collection of wigs and the kind of flamboyant costumes Grace Jones would kill for. He's also got an incredible voice, causing the foundations of the building to tremble when he unleashes his impossibly versatile lower register.
The evening is very loosely themed around confectionery - audience members are picked on a whim to say their name, taste a chocolate and identify the flavour. The vague implication is that the next song might depend on what flavour is uncovered, but no, it seems the set list is the same regardless of who eats what. So it's a pointless exercise in some ways, but having said that, Le Gat's "ball change!" trips into the audience are undeniably entertaining.
The set is a free-wheeling selection of songs with a camp edge, from Chocolate Salty Balls from 'South Park' (I groaned), to The Man That Got Away and Madonna's Vogue, most songs are of the fun and/or fabulous variety, but the most affecting by far is a stripped-down (gone are the glamorous costumes and wigs) rendition of Nick Cave's The Ship Song. Later, an extended medley of songs from 'LES MISERABLES' goes down a storm, and includes an amusing running commentary on who dies and when (everyone, right after their big song).
You'd have to be truly miserable not to enjoy the hour, and indeed I did, but it would be nice to see a man of his talent and humour in a more organised and thoughtfully-structured show. I'd happily make a return visit for that.
'Le Gateau Chocolat' runs nightly at 20:30 until August 26.
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