Think cabaret is dead? Think again! Black Cat Cabaret, a London-based performance troupe, are ensuring that the art form lives on in all its raucous, subversive glory. The award-winning company, through their eclectic, vaudevillian performances, exhibit a dizzying array of artistic disciplines from comedy-style musical numbers all the way to circus acrobatics. Black Cat’s cited inspiration, the cabaret culture of pre-war Monmartre, provides a distinct, easily digestible Parisian atmosphere – So, if you’ve ever wished you could have lived during the French belle époque, this is the experience for you.
How did it start?
Although Black Cat was only founded fairly recently – just over a decade ago, in 2013 – it has already cemented itself as a golden ticket within the London nightlife scene. Whilst the organisation’s inner workings are largely undocumented, we do know that Black Cat’s first performance took place in January of 2013 at the then-unknown venue Cafe de Paris. From this initial showcase, the company expanded, and, 22 theatrical seasons later, with production themes ranging from Halcyon Nights to
Bohemia, they’re still performing. Their various residencies, from Soho House to Crazy Coqs (their
current home) have allowed the show to adapt through time and continue to push the boundaries of
cabaret performance.
What are the performances like?
Given that cabaret is adaptive by nature, it is difficult to define exactly what a Black Cat performance
consists of. According to reports, the 90-minute production differs night by night depending on the
size and scale of the allotted venue. Nevertheless, there are constants: the presence of a
host, who guides the audience through the variety entertainment, musical segments, and frequent
comedic interludes (an element reviewers singled out as a particular highlight). The acts themselves
vary, covering every theatrical niche from fire-eating to burlesque to drag to circus acrobatics. In
between acts, audiences should expect to be gently harangued by the host, and even, perhaps, singled
out of the crowd. Reviewers have praised this immersive element, noting that it fosters an intimate,
collaborative atmosphere. Put succinctly, Black Cat performances are coloured by improvisation and
unpredictability – it is, as the website describes, ‘claws out’ entertainment.
What makes them unique?
The variability of Black Cat is what makes it a must-see experience. As an audience member, you will
never see the same performance twice. One night may be dominated by audience participation whilst
another may have very little at all, another may be predominantly gymnastic stunts while another is
largely musical acts – in short, Black Cat are adept at crafting a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.n
After all, where else would you be able to see a musical drag act share the stage with a fire-eating
acrobat?
How can I see a performance?
Black Cat’s current theatrical offering, Salon des Artistes, is performing every Saturday until the 28th
of June 2025. Almost every show except one will take place at Zédel, a Parisian-themed brasserie in
Soho, with Brighton’s Old Market hosting the company for one performance on May 24th 2025. You can book tickets easily on their website, where they are listed as costing £37.50. The shows
are customarily performed around dinner tables with waiter service provided throughout. To visit their website, click here.