one4review | On 15, Aug 2022

Ellie Macpherson has created a jam-packed hour of entertainment. She’s a patriotic American y’all and has given herself the task of choosing which president she wants to bang. She does a thorough job, starting with ‘Simply the Best’ George Washington and takes us on a frenetic ride through the bang-able qualities of all 45 men. The show is a mixture of eclectic facts and well-known songs, accompanied by a 3 piece band, sometimes sung verbatim and others with lyrics altered.

Ellie Macpherson effortlessly oozes glamour, but is also not afraid to play the clown, which she does throughout using of a smorgasbord of hats. Her slightly unhinged energy keeps the show moving quickly with quips, puns and a heavy dose of objectifying ghosts. She has a stunningly powerful voice that would be at home on any west end stage. Her voice slides comfortably from big ballads to country, pop and rock, though it’s her rendition of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ that is really quite special.

It’s a great hour of cabaret that’s in search of a cabaret venue really. Although the drippy vault of the Big Belly adds a surreal touch to proceedings it would be lovely in an intimate venue. The show ends with a heartfelt deliberation of what it is to be an American. It was particularly poignant in the performance I saw, as family members, who are all engaged in the military were watching the show.

****

Reviewed by Sarah

Underbelly Cowgate – Big Belly

21.30 (1hr)

Until 28th Aug (not 16th)