It will come as a surprise to many that this is chanteuse cabaret artiste de delight Miss Frisky’s solo debut. One half of established musical comedy cabaret duo Frisky & Mannish, her vocal acrobatics are familiar to many – though no less impressive for that. In Frisky’s Reshuffle our glamorous hostess is joined by a live four-piece backing band, the Five Knuckle Shuffle, and opens the floor to a more collaborative format.
Still centre stage is Laura Corcoran’s aka Frisky’s versatile style changes, setting the tone early with three – count ‘em – variations on Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’, of particular interest being the emo incarnation in which she seems to channel Evanescence to her glittery fringed core. But this time the it’s her talent combined with her audience’s suggestions. She is the hostess with mostest at this party, your disco advocate, and your metal motivator.
It’s a reasonably simple format, elevated by the live band and the impressive musical range that allows Frisky to switch from trap rap to opera on a sixpence. She’s chirping and twerking with comic timing and physically behind each performance. It’s also, by virtue of its semi-improvised format, loose and open to a certain amount of freeform, meaning some bits landing more spectacularly than others. But by golly, she’s game.
The finale is again a group effort, collecting a mantra from one corner for the chorus and celebrating the evening’s show in the verses. It’s more sentimental than you would find in a Frisky & Mannish show. A sweet way to set Frisky’s independence apart.
Frisky’s Reshuffle, 21.55, Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens, until 24 August (except 6th, 11th & 18th)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/frisky-s-reshuffle
