Review from: Underbelly Boulevard, London; 3rd November 2025
This is the fourth year that the NCCA has presented scratch cabaret in a venue with a small circular stage. Previously in a spiegeltent, this years’ venue was the Underbelly Boulevard, a permanent cabaret theatre where the Raymond Review Bar was back in Soho’s sleazier days.
Unsurprisingly, the alumni of the degree programme who chose to take part in this scratch event (graduates from between 2019 and the past year) looked to the norms of adult cabaret with sparkly lingerie, fishnets and flapper dresses alongside lacy bodysuits. There were ten acts in the hour-long presentation, all solo, with no spoken part to any of them nor any group work. All the acts were female presenting.
Nine performers displayed NCCA’s stock in trade that works so well in this setting: single point aerial (hoop, straps, silks, rope, chains and hair suspension); the tenth was a hula-hoop act. All the acts were attractive displays of strength and flexibility, fluidly choreographed to good choices of music such as ALT BLK ERA’s Run Rabbit, CRMNL’s Wicked as They Come, and Major Lazer & Ellie Goulding’s Powerful that were beautifully boosted by the Underbelly’s glorious sound system. Some of the acts had a touch more character or presence than others, a couple were a tad cheekier (whilst remaining in the best possible taste – nipples were taped over) but any of them would do perfectly well if you are looking to book an act for a Christmas party.
Having said that, I’d love to read a critique of the acts by one of the feminist performers from the early days of new circus in the 1980s – such as Ra-Ra Zoo’s Sue Broadway, or Cunning Stunts’ Iris Walton -were any present.
Whilst it is great that the NCCA – with Underbelly’s help – is producing a fun scratch / showcasing opportunity to alumni, the restrictions of the circular stage and single point of rigging underlines the need for the NCCA to have a much broader performance programme: political pieces; small ensemble shows; cradle, swinging or flying trapeze on the aerial front; tightrope, juggling and clown.
CREDITS
Acts:
Tessa Stockwell – Rope
Alice Collins – Aerial Hoop
Annie Zita – Hula Hoops
Willow Hippely – Aerial Straps
Mhairi Eleanor – Silks
Kasyema Mulinge – Aerial Hoop
Phoebe Feord – Straps
Chrys Shipley – Rope
Dani Mearns – Aerial Hoop
Amelia Laughlin – Chains
Katerina Ana – Hair Suspension
Sophie Celia – Aerial Hoop
Crew:
Katharine Arnold – Producer
Adrian Porter – Producer
Ellie Beale – Technical Assistance
Adam Havsky – Technical Assistance
Ghoti Fisher – Lighting
