Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Emerald Theatre, London
Cast: Dita Von Teese, Faye Tozer, Tosca Rivola, Candance Cane, Lady Lydia, Zoe Marshall, Isabelle Bosher, Bethany Chan, Cristian Liberti, Manny Tsakanika, Zinzile Tshuma, Sienna Walker and Niko Wirachman
At its heart is Miss Kitty LeRoy – madam, gunslinger, heartbreaker – your dealer of destiny. Played by Faye Tozer, Kitty burns bright in this true tale of risk, rebellion and revenge. With Old West drama, showstopping performance, and high-stakes spectacle, DIAMONDS and DUST is a dazzling fusion of fantasy and femme power. Dita Von Teese graces the stage as Lady Luck for select performances; but her signature style haunts every moment.
Having visited the venue many times when it was home to Proud Cabaret, it was wonderful to see the inaugural production of the newly renovated Emerald Theatre. The venue suits the cabaret-style show along with heavy audience participation, so Diamonds and Dust made for the perfect fit.
Diamonds and Dust reminded me of Come Alive; in that it merges theatre and cabaret in a way that's never been seen before. The story is lacking in any real kind of cohesive narrative, but the spectacle of the show itself is so beguiling that it matters very little. What it lacks in substance of story, it makes up for with jaw-dropping stunts and sizzling burlesque routines.
The production is set in a saloon in the late 1800's. It's clear that woman are the heart of this production and it's fantastic to see Faye Tozer play Kitty Le Roy - a no-nonsense, gunslinging, driven woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. Tozer is the star of this Wild Western fantasy, exuding just the right amount of allure and mystery, while always keeping the audience in the palm of her hand. Tozer proves to be a triple threat with her singing, dancing and acting...and her quick wit throughout is fantastic.
When you think of glitz and glamour in burlesque, it's difficult not to instantly think of Dita Von Teese. Her two brief appearances in the two-hour production are sensational, and her experience on the stage is evident as you could hear a pin drop whenever she was on stage. However, I only wish she'd had a bigger part in the story as she almost feels underutilised in a role that suits her so perfectly. She's seductive, oozing with sexiness and almost hypnotising whenever she's on stage. Von Teese's bucking bronco routine is truly one for the history books.
Within the loose plot, there are performances from the showstopping cast. From fire-eating, burlesque and aerial, the talent is diverse and captivating; particularly in the second half when the action seems to elevate to a completely new level. Lady Lydia has always been a standout performer in cabaret, and she proves herself to be a shining star once again with her aerial work, fire-eating and her sizzling role as Kitty's card slinger.
With the name, Diamonds and Dust, you'd probably be expecting a plethora of glitter, glitz and glamour - and you'd be absolutely correct. The couture costume design from Jenny Packham is the heart of the show, and enables every cast member to sparkle on stage...literally. The set and lighting from Philip Gladwell makes for an intimate low-lit production, making every moment feel even more immersive, which is just what a production like this one needs.
Whether you're a novice to cabaret, or a seasoned cabaret-goer, Diamonds and Dust makes for a memorable night out and with the calibre of talent onstage, there's nothing quite like it in London right now. If just to see Dita Von Teese, grab your tickets now.
You can book tickets to Diamonds and Dust, here.
**photo credit: Chris Davis Studio**
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