I went in with some friends to see Cabaret last night in an open-air cinema.
It really does drive home how Liza Minnelli became such a star. She is, much like her character Sally, phenomenally talented. She has an engaging charisma onscreen. Her voice is astoundingly joyful and she raises laughs with just a quiver of an eyebrow or a wrinkle of her nose.
The venue, of course, accentuated the theatrics on screen. Scoop are running a series of open air events by Tower Bridge and, with the setting sun tinting the dramatic London skyline with pinks and golds, it’s a rather wonderful stage.
The crowd were very appreciative; singing along to the increasingly grotesque cabaret performances, but knowing just when the movie had finally turned that corner and was no longer suitable for camp karaoke. A slow uneasy silence settled over the initially rambunctious audience perfectly in step with the growing Nazi presence in the movie. Of course, the final number brought that lustful singing back from the crowd.
Go and rent it, it’s a wonderfully tragic film.
But… to bring it back on theme. The picnic!
If you happen to be in London Bridge station and you happen to be looking for a bag of snacks to nibble upon; head down the ground level and follow your noise to the food courtish area. There you will find a small stand selling dried foods. Dried Razchenberries (that have a peculiar taste reminiscent of a jellybaby made with real fruit), sugared mango strips, chocolate covered espresso beans and, best of all, chocolate covered stem ginger. Go, it’s rather tasty.
Littl’ Billy though was rather disappointed with the lack of either carbs or quantity. I couldn’t stand to see him like that, so cheered him up with fish, chips and mushy peas.
Eoin: 8
Billy: 2
Link to Googlemap: here
