Lights! Feathers! Showgirls! Introducing new cabaret show ‘Carte Blanche’ coming to 17 Hanover Square from 13TH October for 10 weeks, an unforgettable night of camp fun and cabaret performed by an all girl and predominantly POC cast of modern day Follies. Inspired by badass women and heroines of hip hop and Hollywood, Thee Showgirls will take you on a glamorous and colourful ride from Carmen Jones to Cardi B.
From shocking neo burlesque to jaw-dropping acrobatic feats, the Carte Blanche experience takes you on a journey of mind blowing mash up tributes to the women that never play by the rules. The cast includes cabaret and burlesque superstars Angie Sylvia (Absinthe Vegas) and Zoe Marshall (Pippin Australia) plus exclusive never seen before acts. The show boasts original music by in-house producer Kxlla K (Burna Boy/AJ Tracey).
Creative Director Bryn Harris (The Box/Strut n Fret) has created a truly panoramic experience with state of the art sound and 30 foot interactive LED screens. This is classic variety meets contemporary club culture with an internationally renowned cast led by artistic director & Mistress of Ceremonies Ashley Stroud (Postmodern Jukebox/The Box) and unique costumes by Bambi Blue (Raye/Drag Race UK) with Ashley. The show has been produced by Adam West (The Box/Strut n Fret), lighting designed by Rob Elliot (Fabric/Egg) and choreography by Kimberly Taylor (Rita Ora/Little Mix).
Whether you’re a Roxie, a Carmen, or Thee Showgirl herself- this is the night to live with complete freedom!
CAST:
ASHLEY STROUD: is a cabaret superstar, crowned the “modern day Josephine Baker” with the smoulder and sass to match. Last year Ashley first went viral as the star of critically acclaimed online music collective “Postmodern Jukebox” with over 40 million views and counting of their videos and iTunes top 10 chart positions. As one of the original cast members in the lineup, she toured Europe, the US and Canada with shows that included the Kennedy Centre and Madison Square Garden Theater. Ashley made her cabaret debut at NYC/London’s infamous nightlife experience, The Box, and was featured as the ultimate Mistress of Ceremonies in the pages of V Magazine and Vanity Fair. She then became the breakout star of alt cabaret “Blanc de Blanc Encore” for a historic sold-out season at the iconic Sydney Opera House in 2019. She is fresh on the London cabaret scene but has already performed at the Cafe de Paris, Proud, Phoenix Arts Club and Heaven.
ZOE MARSHALL: The Australian/British Circus Artist is a captivating and multi-disciplinary performer. Zoë leaves audiences stunned with her Aerial Hair-Hanging as well as the rare Mouth-balancing act in Chinese Contortion/Carpet spinning. Her other specialties include Aerial Hoop, Group Acrobatics, Juggling, Floor Tumbling and Head-balance. She also trains as a stuntwoman in films and was also scouted for Australia’s Got Talent 2019/2020. Her versatility and unique skills have landed her contracts touring worldwide including Australia, UK and Colombia; in prestigious companies such as, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, The Box Soho, Strut & Fret, La Clique, Circus OZ and Bass Fam Creative at the Sydney Opera House.
ANGIE SYLVIA: The cabaret superstar is a fire and burlesque artist performing in the world’s biggest shows. A professional dancer specialising in Hip Hop and Vogue, she turned her hand to burlesque after a long dance career that included performing and choreography work with Imelda May, Lady Gaga, Tinie Tempah, Katy B and Akon. She also worked as an assistant choreographer for the Victoria Secret fashion show in New York. As a founder member of London’s leading burlesque troupe The Folly Mixtures, she has performed for private clients including Cafe de Paris, Vogue magazine, The Hippodrome Casino, Proud Cabaret and toured their group and solo routines, as part of An Evening of Burlesque, throughout Europe, performing at some of the world’s top theatres. This led to their nomination for ‘Best Burlesque Act’ at the London Cabaret Awards. She is also due to compete with the Folly Mixtures at The Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. As a solo performer, Angie has been part of cabaret and variety’s most innovative shows around the world, including Miami’s Orchid, directed by Kylie Minogue stylist William Baker, Absinthe by Spiegelworld, Vegas Nocturne at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas and most recently with The Box in Sardinia.
CLEOPANTHA: Having taken the UK Burlesque scene by storm, she is renowned for fusing her high energy dance style, the art of tease and her love of both hip hop and commercial music. Her artistry is described as both powerful and unapologetic. Accolades include headlining Bristol Burlesque Festival, UK (2018) Stuttgart Burlesque Festival, Germany (2019) Manchester Burlesque Festival, UK (2019) and many more across Europe. She has also performed alongside hip hop legend Fatman Scoop and has been featured in a Michael Jackson Biopic.
LAUREN ELISE: is a pole artist with a host of international competitions and performances under her belt. She’ll keep you transfixed with her mesmerising fluidity and dynamic floorwork – all whilst wearing a pair of monster 10inch heels.
SASHA MARSLE: makes her cabaret debut as one of Thee Showgirls. She has starred in music videos for artists such as The 1975’s, KSI, Tulisa, Yungen and Rak-Su. She has also performed at many live events including BBC live extra concert sharing the stage with Tinashe, Mary J Blige and T pain, the Urban Music Awards and as a cheer and stunt performer at the NFL games.
NEAVE HARVEY: After graduating in 2020 she has already worked commercially both in the UK and internationally, she also has her own burlesque act going by the name of Scarlett De Vees. She has worked with major music artists Harry Styles and Lily Denning as well as London based production house, House of Pyramid.
RUSH CAMPBELL: makes her cabaret debut as one of Thee Showgirls. The Londoner has been seen in music videos and TV shows and performance at The 2020 Brit Awards with artists Stormzy and Burna Boy. Other notables include: choreographed AJ Tracey’s Flu Campaign in 2021.
TICKETS: https://tickets.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/CarteBlanche/Home.aspx
LISTING INFORMATION:
Venue: 17 Hanover Square, London W1S 1HU
Dates: 13TH /14TH/20th/21st/27th/28th October. 3rd/4th/10th/11th/17th/18th/24th/25th November 1st/2nd/8th/9th/15th/16th December
Doors: 7pm. Show: 8:30pm Interval/Two Acts Show Ends: 10pm
After Cocktail Party: Carriages at Midnight
