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Monday, September 17, 2018

CARDBOARD CARNIVAL AT HILTON


Cardboard Carnival should develop into a tight and genuinely pleasing stage show down the line. (Review by Barry Meehan)

If you’re looking for a light, frothy cabaret which will tell you something about your current – or past - relationship, then Cardboard Carnival ,seen this last weekend at the 2018 Hilton Arts Festival, should be right up your street.

The “Cardboard” in the title signifies that with social media, we are becoming cardboard cut-outs of our true selves, caring more about our image than about human interaction. Despite this, there are still “normal” people out there who desire relationships, and connections with others. The problem is just how we go about this. This cabaret seeks to look at how relationships begin, how they end, and the “glorious mess” in between.

Seasoned performers Bryan Hiles, Darren King and Marion Loudon team up with relative newcomer Leigh Meyer for an hour-long look at each other and ourselves. Expect to hear many popular, tried and tested numbers, many with a different slant.

Some of the best include: Call Me Maybe; Oops, I did it again; All About the Bass; Blurred Lines and Somebody That I Used To Know and many others.

All four performers were in great form for the performance I saw, with Hiles and King providing most of the comedy, and Loudon and Meyer providing the eye-candy. The script could do with a bit of tightening (in my humble opinion) before it hits the main stage, but I’m quite sure the quartet will be looking at this in the future.

Cardboard Carnival should develop into a tight and genuinely pleasing stage show down the line. Look out for it at your local cabaret spot. - Barry Meehan