Big Hat Cabaret, Saturday 18th July 2009, Swindon Arts Centre
By India Collins- Davies.
Below is a review of the Big Hat Cabaret which will take place again in the Summer of 2010. If you would like to perform please email Josie Williams, Community Arts Development Officer josie@commonweal.co.uk
When we are asked to imagine talented performers, it is (sadly) true that those with disabilities will often be overlooked. But does this mean that they don’t exist? Of course not – and the mission of Big Hat Cabaret on the 18th July was to prove just that!
All of the performers took to the stage of the professional venue – a far cry from the foyer of the Wyvern Theatre, where the first event was staged last year – with incredible enthusiasm, engaging every member of the audience. Compere for the evening was the lively and highly amusing Kev Sutherland.
The evening’s live acts were interspersed with original films, including the fantastically creative ‘Respite Fantasy’ and the world premiere of ‘The Elbmow Video’, both fascinating, colourful plasticine animations filmed and produced by Create Inclusive.
Partners Theatre Company were the first set of live performers under the spotlight, their appropriate, upbeat song ‘Welcome to the Cabaret’ (including the use of sign language) marking the first of three memorable appearance – including a hilarious improvisation sketch which had all of the audience in stitches!
Lewis Dinsey of Crowdys Hill School was next to perform, with his funny and self assured rendition of self-written song ‘Blame it on Scampy’, forming an excellent rapport with the audience whilst appearing completely undaunted by performing a capella.
The Commonweal PI Band, reunited especially for the performance, showed off their musical talents through a range of different songs, from the emotional ‘Change’ written by band member Mike Oliver, to the sensitive ‘You’re the Girl’ by Will Copp, and the incredibly professional sounding ‘Blood’ in which I particularly noted how well the band worked together – needless to say, they were well received!
Swindon Dance’s integrated dance company Salto also wowed the crowd with their piece ‘It Takes 12 to Tango’, blending tango, salsa and flamenco into a fantastic, clearly well-rehearsed performance displaying the trust between the performers at its best.
The evening was rounded off with a lively finale incorporating all of the performers, set to a rousing rendition of ‘Beat It’ by the PI Band.
By observing all of those who took to the stage and produced such excellent performances, I would never have guessed that for many it was their first time performing to a large audience or that dreadful nerves had had to be overcome prior to the show. But, judging by the weight and enthusiasm of the congratulations being given to the performers during the interval and after the show, them being up on stage was something of a huge achievement, not only for the quality of their performances but also for their own confidence.
As Jim Brown, co-founder of Big Hat said whilst addressing the audience, “There is a lot of talent in Swindon” – and this truly is something we should all be very proud of. It’s fantastic that organisations such as Big Hat are endeavoring to give those talented ones who may have been unable to showcase their skills due to disability the opportunity to get up and show off what they can do, because even now so many incredibly talented people are completely overlooked.
The warm, friendly atmosphere of Big Hat Cabaret seemed to me a fantastic place for anybody to start off performing, or even more seasoned performers to hone their skills. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the show, and am excited now for Big Hat’s future – as quite a new organisation; it can only grow from
here, and with as much support as possible it will undoubtedly grow into something brilliant!
