Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Très Bon!”
4.5 / 5
Said to be the first modern cabaret, Le Chat Noir made history in 19th-century Paris as a hub for artists and creatives to indulge in an evening of entertainment. The Lost Estate have conjured up their own immersive Chat Noir inspired space, so we too can experience its sultry, Parisian bohemian allure.
The storyline focuses on the formidable club founder Rudolphe Salis (Joe Morrow) who is re-opening the door of Le Chat Noir to secure his legacy at the heart of cabaret. Morrow is an impeccable performer, who completely commands attention and has the audience transfixed. He has split the evening into three parts – act one titled Art introduces the audiences to his performers with an enjoyable insight into each of their talents. A very talented mime; Paul Legrand (Alexander Luttley) who impressively re-enacts a love affair and heartbreak with a dress, measured illusionist Joseph Bautier (Neil Kelso) who combines magic and art in a trick that draws on light audience participation, Dancer Cléo de Mérode (Coco Belle) and Muse Yvette Guilbert (Issy Wroe Wright) who each contribute to the first act with engaging and humorous routines that provide a small insight into the rest of the evening.
The second act, titled Absinthe, is seductive and enticing, a mesmerising ode to the Absinthe green fairy, performed by Luttley and Belle, the incredibly talented live band – Guy Button (violin), Peteris Sokolovskis (cello), Alex Ullman (piano), Will Fry (percussion & Áine McLoughlin (accordion) providing musical accompaniments not only to each performance, but also in between acts, with some beautiful Debussy woven through. The final act – is in both name and nature, Anarchy, unwritten and unplanned, the previously planned depictions of debauchary transcend into entertaining, bewildering chaos. The frantic, messy nature of the final act, shouldn’t work (and wouldn’t in most scenarios!), but it fits into the wild, desperation of Salis’ grand plan, and though there are moments of style over substance, the entire evening is nothing less than a grand spectacle, that captures your intrigue at every moment. Sure, ending the night on a meowing rendition of Frère Jacques, or Wroe Wright’s impressively condensed Carmen, wasn’t expected, but it’s a surprisingly apt finale to the busy, collaborative show.
Between each act a three course meal is served – pâté as a starter, coq au vin for the main and a truly delicious lemon tart for dessert. There are vegetarian options, as well as dietary requirements being catered for, additional food items to purchase on top of your ticket such as frogs legs or escargot, and a vast wine and cocktail list, with non-alcoholic options available also. At one point in the evening we sampled an Absinthe drip, whereby you drip water onto sugar onto absinthe, was a moment of theatrical excitement in itself and a unique experience to partake in. There is ample time between each course to enjoy the show, and the pacing of the evening is well done. Credit to the absolutely outstanding front of house staff who are friendly, informative and completely in control of the well-rehearsed timings to ensure the evening off-stage is flawlessly conducted.
The interior, designed and built by Thomas Kirk Shannon, and Mike Gunning’s lighting are the pièce de résistance. As soon as you enter the non-descript West Kensington warehouse, you are transported into another world. Vintage lamps adorn every table, and are dimmed or shone at various parts of the evening to adjust the atmosphere in conjunction with the acts. It is beautiful, well-thought out and allowing for free flowing movement for performers, guests and waiting staff, while still being an enticing, memorable space that immediately throws you into the immersive elements of the show. Tickets are on the pricier side, starting at £129.85 for the raised rail seating section that we were in, to include the show and meal – the view is never hindered and you never feel as though you are missing any of the action because they make such fantastic use of the space around them to ensure every single guest has a memorable, magnifique experience!
Runs until 31st July 2026
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