Alternative Cabaret
Wales Millennium Centre
Weston Studio
If you identity as “queer” or like things that are “queer”, you may enjoy this show that is dubbed an an alternative cabaret. You get to be wished a happy Queermas, whatever that is. Otherwise, it is probably not for you.
Based on the press night, the standard of performance is not ideal. The limited circus skills go wrong, lines are fluffed. It will probably get better.
It is a show that relies on giving everyone who does not agree with its message the middle finger. We have seen better alternative shows and Wales Millennium Centre has also hosted better cabaret-style acts. This is irrespective of our views on the messages it throws at us with as much sublty as a tassel twirled on a nipple. Yes, you do get that, well two of them.
It has some okay singing, some interesting playing of musical instruments, a little bit of circus skills, some burlesque, and all set in a tricky to follow version of the famous story and ballet. The audience enjoyed it and that is presumably all that mattered.
The idea is that King Rat and the Toy Soldier want to get together rather than fight.
It is on until New Year.
A Wales Millennium Centre + Juliette Manon production.
Images: Kirstin McTernan
https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2024/nutcracker-the-alternative-cabaret
A longer version of this review has been removed as the venue sought to control its content which is not acceptable