Elaine Paige, Alexander Armstrong, Michael Feinstein to Lead LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET

London will celebrate CABARET in the inaugural LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET, celebrating The Great American and European Songbooks, and will see this extraordinary Cabaret genre playing in venues across the Capital from SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER to SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2013 - a Festival filled with unique opportunities to see world class cabaret acts, newcomers and artists who have never ventured into the world of cabaret....

Cabaret is in full renaissance and the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET will tantalize and tease with a songbook programme that includes: ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG in his first musical cabaret performance; to Michael Feinstein performing with friends including Elaine Paige; as well as Master Classes from exceptional Cabaret performers Maria Friedman and Barb Jungr; plus talks and Cabaret performances from burgeoning British talent such as TAMAR BROADBENT hot from her success with her one-woman show Almost Epic.

The LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET will offer fans of Cabaret and those new to the genre a stunning mix of entertainment, music and drama - filled with glamour, decadence, laughter and passion. Cabaret means many things to many people and the focus for the inaugural LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET is a celebration of The Great American and European Songbooks.

The LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET will also be presenting never before seens shows from critically acclaimed song book stars; The fabulous MISS HOPE SPRINGS with an exclusively created show for the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET; Leigh Zimmerman (direct from A Chorus Line) alongside her rock musician husband Domenick Allen offering a truly sexy love affair of Cabaret and Songbook; plus a new show from Wicked and I'd Do Anything star Rachel Tucker.

The LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET will present artists such as five-time Grammy winning Michael Feinstein, who will perform in an evening with friends Elaine Paige and Julian Ovenden, and MICHAEL says: "London has always been a special place with a rich musical heritage, so it is a genuine thrill to be a part of the first ever Cabaret Festival. British audiences have always been so special and I can't wait to come and sing some of our great favourites, along with some new surprises."

Cabaret virgin ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG (Pointless, Armstrong & Miller ) will be performing a new show created especially for the Festival, Alexander Armstrong & His Band Celebrate The Great British Songbook: "I'm so excited about the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET and delighted to be taking part. We have decided to explore the British Songbook - a journey that will take in Britten's folk-song arrangements, Coward and Novello, as well as Neil Hannon, Smith & Burrows, the Wombles (oh yes) and a few other of my personal favourites."

Artistic Director of the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET, NEIL MARCUS says: ""This inaugural Festival places London as a world leader in this unique art form that creates a special intimacy and bond between artist and audience. We will be presenting established masters of the craft from America such as Michael Feinstein and Steve Ross; National Treasures like Alexander Armstrong who are not yet known for their versatility in the field. The focus for this LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET is to celebrate the classic American Songbook and its interpreters together with the work of European writers associated with the genre such as Noël Coward, Brecht & Weill whilst introducing some new writers breaking through."

Triple Olivier award winning artist and a Patron of the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET, Maria Friedman will be giving a Cabaret Master Class and says: "Cabaret is a unique way for an artist to hone their communication skills, allowing the audience an up close, concentrated, in the moment experience. The very best peel away the layers to reveal themselves; allowing an audience an evening of intense emotion and gripping story telling."

Award winning American Cabaret singer KT Sullivan says: "I'm so glad cabaret has come back to London with such a bang. Not since Noel Coward's heyday has there been such enthusiasm for this most intimate of art forms."

English singer/songwriter and international Cabaret artist Barb Jungr will be performing and giving a Master Class says: "Cabaret is a European art form with roots in British music hall. Britain has produced some of the greatest cabaret artists in the world and it's time we had a Festival of our own here in London to celebrate our work and the place that British cabaret plays in the world".

The inaugural LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET is supported by the Noël Coward FOUNDATION, Irving Berlin MUSIC COMPANY, THE HOSPITAL CLUB, PRESTAT CHOCOLATE and VINTAGE TV. Patrons include: Douglas Hodge,Maria Friedman, Michael Feinstein, Adam Guettel, Barb Jungr and Jason Robert Brown who says "Cabaret is a glorious vehicle for true personal expression in the musical theatre; its value cannot be overstated. I am so thrilled that Neil Marcus and the LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET are putting cabaret in the spotlight, where it belongs!"

The festival will launch spectacularly on MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER at the soon to be opened Cabaret space at The Hospital Club @ 6.15pm and will include a performance by Barb Jungr, TAMAR BROADBENT and Leigh Zimmerman with Domenick Allen

LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.londonfestivalofcabaret.com