Club Exotica, Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea, April 4
12:48pm Monday 7th April 2008
The evening did not start well. Punctuality is of the essence in professional theatre, both from the company and the audience. Each must show respect for the other.
It was most displeasing, therefore, to arrive at the Ropetackle and endure a 25-minute delay in proceedings.
The show itself was hit-and-miss; compered by the very assured Artistic Director of the venue, Chris Cresswell, the acts were as varied in quality as they were in content.
A variety and burlesque show, highlights included a woman fireater who had real showmanship, and two female singers and accordion players with pleasing vocals and good patter. Others, such as three Bettie Pages cavorting pointlessly around the stage, disappointed.
The Ropetackle has to up the ante both in terms of the calibre of performers and observing the fundamental rules of theatre if it is not to become a white elephant at the end of Shoreham High Street.