As usual Crazy Coqs, the West End’s swankiest cocktail bar and cabaret lounge, is home to some very enticing shows this February when you can see the cream of New York and Broadway talent singing, up close and personal, on their tiny stage.
A sometime collaborator of mine the actor, wit and composer Stefan Bednarczyk is premiering his new show BEYOND A JOKE. It’s based on the "Humour" section of his local record shop in the 1970's and Jake Thackeray, Allan Sherman, Tom Lehrer and Paddy Roberts are among the songwriters whose work he revives, showing how - along with the jokes and the brilliance of the writing - their parodies and satire remain as incisive, hilarious and sometimes as painfully relevant today.
If you love crooners and The Great American Song Book you’ll enjoy Natalie Douglas’ brand new show SAMMY, NAT, STEVIE AND JOE, a celebration of the extraordinary talents of Sammy Davis, Jr, Nat "King" Cole, Stevie Wonder & Joe Williams.
Julie Atherton makes her Crazy Coqs debut with a cabaret featuring highlights from her career and no doubt premièring some great new songs. I first met Julie when I staged the 10th Anniversary year of FAME in the West End and subsequently went on to directed her in a musical of my own at the Liverpool Playhouse. She’s a wonderful singer and comedienne who specialises in introducing fresh material to her fans so it should be a fascinating evening.
To round off the month comes the legendary Lilliane Montevecchi will perform. She’s an unmissable veteran of musical theatre and song. Montevecchi's illustrious career began as a prima ballerina in Roland Petit's dance company, but Montevecchi is perhaps best known for her Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winning role in Tommy Tune's NINE, when she won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She then went on to earn a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in GRAND HOTEL. Later she appeared in films with Elvis Presley, Marlon Brando, Fred Astaire and Matthew McConaughey. Expect songs from every corner of her career.
These special guests are joined on the programme by a stash of residences and regulars. With an array of talent including Giles Terera, Howard Samuels, Stephen De Martin & David Roper and Top Blondes. And there’s a special Valentine’s Night performance from Miss Hope Springs and her Hot Jazz Combo.
More details from the website: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs/programme
Are you looking forward to seeing international superstar comedian Eddie Izzard's return to stand-up comedy in the West End this month? I am.