When the show started the windows of the performance room were still filled with fading daylight and glowering dark clouds contrasting with the warm colours of the room, complete with contemporary oil paintings on the wall a wonderful, full-size grand piano with a glowing display of red flowers sitting atop.

Tim McArthur got things off to an energetic start with a lively rendition of ‘ It’s Today’ before introducing Frank Loman. Frank originally came to London from Germany with ambitions to appear in a West End musical - this has now happened and he is currently rehearsing a part in ‘Les Miserables’. Performing without a script or direction proved to be a different kind of challenge. Understandably, nerves played a part in a performance that was, at times, uneven.

Cabaret at its best is essentially more than just a performance of a collection of songs. It is the underlying thread and connection between the songs that ultimately produces the added dimension that cabaret provides. Loman’s patter between the songs was often unfocused and occasionally detracted from the performance of the songs themselves. As a result there was little in the way of sustained mood and atmosphere, which was a shame since there were individual elements which suggested there could be some promise here.

What’s needed, perhaps, is someone with an objective view to fine-tune the act and remove the occasionally self-indulgent parts, providing a sharper focus on the stronger elements. A more consistent attempt to embrace the audience would also help the latter to warm to the singer, though the air of indifference employed was well-suited to Frank’s choice of opening number, ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’.

The highlight of the act was a Julie Andrews pastiche. This was a fine comic number as Frank in falsetto voice portrayed the difficulties the beleaguered Miss Andrews might have in pitching her notes nowadays! Frank was accompanied by Alexander S Bermange who also provided some of the songs featured in the act.

Tim opened the second act with a rendition of ‘Anything Goes’ with amended (hilarious) lyrics provided by Brett Kahr who also accompanied on the piano. Tim has a good, natural comic pacing that was well highlighted in this particular choice. The high spot of the afternoon, however, was Morag McLaren. From the moment of her unexpected entrance, probably the most unusual ever seen in cabaret - she had the audience enthusiastically responding to her every move. Morag’s background is in classical /operatic singing and it might seem an unlikely starting point to include a lengthy opening section relating her experiences of becoming the performer she is today. McLaren pulled this off not only with panache but also great skill, melding the worlds of opera and cabaret seamlessly in her ‘Opera Fachs’ section- it is difficult to imagine any other performer being able to do this. McLaren has not only the imagination (using a variety of props and members of the audience) to make it great fun but also the sound technical ability which combine to make it sensational. It is so cleverly funny it was no wonder members of the audience were reduced to helpless tears of laughter.

Morag’s act is not only about laughter for she can change the mood in an instant. Having reduced the audience to helpless laughter, McLaren can draw them to her for the quieter, contemplative numbers. This was demonstrated wonderfully towards the end of the act when Morag sang a touching lament about the loss of a child. The lyrics described skies of summer as a heavy rain beat against the dark windows - the overall effect was very moving and one of those moments of synergy that can’t be planned for. The show finished with a wonderful song: ‘Music’ - the music in question by Simon Wallace and set to words by Fran Landesman, reflecting on how music can ‘open your heart with a delicate blade of art’.

All performers opted for singing unmiked, a brave choice considering the acoustics of the room were probably an unknown quantity, though Morag did use a microphone to very good effect when impersonating a rather worn-out recording on a ‘78’.

All in all, this was a pleasing venture which deserves to succeed and be supported, especially since the admission price of just £8 is astonishingly good value. Singers appearing for the rest of the season include: Barb Jungr; Alison Breminer; Mark Hutchinson; Valerie Cutko; Paul Hull; Sarah Moyle; Jessica Martin; Tim McArthur; Rosie Ashe and Chris Coleman. For more details visit the Dress Circle Web Site or ring Lauderdale House direct on 020 8348 8716.