Twas a cold winter night last saturday when I stepped from the streets of the Cathedral Quarter modern day Belfast into the time machine that was the black box and was transported all the way back to Victorian times and the messrs Pigeon and Plums Vaudeville Circus. This is about the fifth year in a row I’ve been and after a year or 2 of not dressing to the occasion decided it was high time to do it right again this again! The majority of the audience had the same idea and i could see top hats and puffed out skirts galore. We indulged in the Hog roast dinner (with all the trimmings) lined up a local cider (Tempted? cider from Lisburn – very nice) and the show began.
As you can see from the picture above the Black box is done up like no other night, dressed head to toe in red velvet and with large picture frames around the stage and entrance, small velveted nightlights hang from the walls and the moment you walk in you’re greeted by a full size vaudeville ticket booth. Songs of the era play as you mill around with the likes of ” I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts” and “who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler” being in heavy rotation.
Our MC for the night Mr Peregrine Ravenguard is with us all night introducing acts in tongue twisting fashion, making us laugh and even addressing the Bomb the night before (they refused to leave even when the Police told them to “Variety theatre must go on!”) everyone is in great, defient even, form following the actions the night before. What follows is a smorgasboard of variety acts too numerous to mention, Jugglers, contortionists, Ariel acts, Magic, strongman, Comedy, singing, you name it it’s probably there. Act of the night for me (and worth admission alone) is Paul Currie’s slap dic…i mean slap stick act with a microphone, a taped up phone book and his…erm…member. Unbelievably funny. I also loved the funky burlesque that the lady did to “I am the walrus by The Beatles and then “Whip it” by Deevo. I didn’t catch her name, however both utterly mesmerising, irreverent and entertaining!
Pigeon and Plum has become a fixture on my christmas calender every year now and with good reason, theres something for everyone and every year they get better and better at what they do. I recommend keeping them in mind for next Christmas when you’re looking for a night out, you won’t be disappointed.
…and yes he did lick the hammer whilst our pianist for the evening sung Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus…
