London's most opulent fringe venue opens with a brilliant no-holds-barred show
Friday night saw London's newest and most opulent comedy venue open its doors with an extravagant bang thanks to US comedian Natalie Palamides. Quite a few 'bangs' in fact, if one's being smutty, which Palamides sure is − and certainly, as an opening, determinedly fringey mission statement and outrageously entertaining evening out, it is hard to see how this show could be bettered.
An offshoot of the much-loved Dean Street institution of similar name, Soho Theatre Walthamstow turns out to be quite a place. Built in 1930 as an astonishing 2,700-seater cinema, the building has been lovingly restored and transformed into a theatre with a still-ambitious 960 seats. ('Soho' don't seem to be publicising how much it cost, but we can safely go with: a packet.)
The auditorium is marvellous, a grand, old-school space with luxurious, Alhambra-inspired trimmings, good leg-room and excellent raking and sight-lines. There's a capacious foyer with a disco ball the size of Jupiter, two large and well-staffed bars, and you can get a naan wrap for a tenner. Plus, it's barely five minutes' walk from the local Tube station. What's not to like?
First aired in Edinburgh last summer, the show with which Walthamstow is setting out its stall echoes the venue in terms of being at once reassuringly old-fashioned and utterly modern. A no-holds-barred comic paean to the big-screen romances of the 1990s, and flipping between 1999 and 1996, Weer sees Palamides simultaneously play both of the central lovers, Mark and Christina. (A bizarre quadruple coincidence for this particular writer, but that's quite another story.)
So, her right-hand side is Mark, all macho plaid shirt, cargo pants, short-ish 'male' hair, and preposterous painted-on stubble; but when she turns about 180 degrees, she's Christina: long hair, regular make-up, a pink top, groovy jeans. It's a clownish trope as old as the hills, but make no mistake: as anyone who caught Palamides's previous, full-bore creations Laid (2017) or Nate (2018) would expect, the material is bracingly and brilliantly 21st-century.
Going into the show, I'll admit I feared slightly that this performer who − be warned − loves to get the audience involved and thrives on the sense of a charged, intimate huddle, might be lost in the enormous space. But not a bit of it. A completely fearless atom-bomb of energy, she instantly fills the stage and auditorium alike with muscular misrule, and simply does not let up.
Roughly 80 minutes straight through, the show often uses surprise as a (very effective) weapon, so let's not go into too many particulars. But Palamides's mickey-taking of specific 1990s films and general filmic tropes is as marvellous as her casual, almost aggressive disregard for her props, and my, what an inspired and inventive physical comedian she is. She frequently turns on a sixpence to give us both characters' actions as good as simultaneously, a trick that works as perfectly in the moments off near-death melodrama as it does in the shamelessly funny, insouciantly semi-naked bedroom scenes.
You can't help feeling that this 'Zone 3', comedy-focused theatre has got its work cut out for it in terms of consistently putting bums on seats, especially given the fact that very few of the names on its extensive programme qualify as 'household'. But after an opening gambit as strong as this, how not to wish it well? At the curtain call, the still bare-breasted Palamides said how marvellous it was that 'small comedians' like her could experience being in a room like this. Amen to that, even if something tells me the astonishing Ms P, 5ft 1in though she is, won't be a 'small comedian' for very much longer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation
'Cursed' ghost town theme park in the hills lies abandoned with chilling explanation The once-bustling amusement park is now an eerie bastion of faded splendour It drew visitors from far and wide with its unique attractions A chillingly abandoned "ghost town in the sky", which captivated crowds in its heyday, now lies deserted amid the hills of North Carolina, having succumbed to financial woes over ten years ago. Left to decay under the mercy of the weather, the Old West-inspired amusement park, previously a magnet for movie stars and stunt performers, now languishes as a haunting reminder of former grandeur. Yet, there might be a glimmer of hope for its revival. One particularly daunting rollercoaster rises above desolate saloons at Buck Mountain's summit, at an impressive elevation of 4,650 feet. Local travel outlet Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some have dubbed Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park." The concept of the attraction originally came about when the land was purchased from a townsman known as Uncle Dan Carpenter back in 1960. The narrative has it that R.B. Coburn stumbled upon the tale of Carpenter's sheep being lost in a vast cave on Buck Mountain, as reported by The Sun, reports the Mirror US. This Western-themed park quickly became a beloved destination (Image: Youtube ) Coburn, intrigued, sought out Carpenter who then revealed the location where his sheep had gone missing, sparking the vision for the park. Inspired by his experiences in the ghost towns of the Midwest, Coburn envisaged transforming this site into a time capsule for visitors. Article continues below The construction of the park was a Herculean task that saw the concerted effort of more than two hundred locals come together to erect about 40 constructions at the pinnacle of the mountain to comprise the ethereal township. Approximately 120,000 square feet of construction emerged, utilising 91,000 metres of lumber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and a staggering 9,000 kg of nails. The park threw open its gates in 1961, rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination in Western North Carolina and becoming a hub for TV western stars from series like Laramie and Wagon Train to shoot their scenes. Audiences were particularly captivated by the staged gunfights that took place hourly on the main street, with the unique selling point being the rides darting in and out of the mountain's flanks. One rollercoaster was called the Red Devil (Image: Youtube ) However, over time, the attraction began to deteriorate, leading to a decline in visitor numbers, akin to falling off a cliff. The park was further beset by infrastructural woes, including issues with water, power and sewage systems. Workers also started airing their concerns regarding unpaid wages, culminating in the park ceasing operations after the 2009 season. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Despite being dubbed the "cursed amusement park" by Blue Ridge Mountain Life, owing to numerous failed attempts at revival, salvation may be at hand. On May 9, a post on NAPHA's Facebook page disclosed that an interested party from Florida is considering the purchase of the now-defunct theme park. That very post also indicated that the proprietor, Jill McClure, is keen to sell it for use as an entertainment venue rather than to interests with different intentions. Article continues below However, the site has reportedly been earmarked for a housing development instead. The new owner reportedly intends to revamp the area into "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly."
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Next drops a range of affordable band T-shirts ready for the Oasis UK tour
The Oasis UK tour is set to kick off in just a couple of weeks time, and Next has just dropped the best range of band T-shirts ready to get your concert outfit ready The long-awaited Oasis tour is getting ready to hit stages across the UK, with the first show set to kick off in Cardiff on July fourth. Although fans will no doubt be keen to don their favourite Britpop-inspired Parkas for the occasion, the UKs current heatwave means the signature look will probably be out of the question. However if that leaves you struggling with what to wear to an Oasis concert, a band T-shirt is the perfect pick – especially when it's got the band itself on them. If you're looking to pick one up in time for the gig, Next has just dropped a huge range of Oasis band tees with picks for men, women and even kids to choose from. The designs include everything from simple slogans to colourful illustrations and photos of the band, with looks to suit everyone's personal style. If you want to go classic, the White/Black 90s Graphic Official License Oasis Band Relaxed Fit T-Shirt is a must-buy. Bearing the simple Oasis logo on the front in black, the relaxed white T-shirt is the perfect laid back look for the gig. It comes in women's sizes XS to XL and men's sizes small to XXXL, and you can even pick it up in kids sizes from three years to 16 years or an adorable baby romper for ages newborn up to three years old, so the whole family can match. If you want to bring a bit of colour to your gig outfit (it is summer, after all) this Official License Oasis Band Relaxed Fit T-Shirt is £28 and comes in pink, with a red illustration-style print of their Definitely Maybe album cover on the front. It's also made from 100% cotton with a relaxed fit, making it ideal for the warmer weather. There's also plenty of other designs, including a classic ringer style T-shirt with green piping, oversized hoodies and cropped baby tee-style fits, making sure everyone can keep up their signature style whilst repping the band. Next isn't the only high street brand getting involved in the early Oasis tour prep, though. At H&M you can pick up the Men's Loose Fit T-shirt for £12.99, which has a boxy fit and a small Oasis logo on the front chest. Meanwhile at ASOS you can get the ASOS DESIGN Unisex Oversized License T-Shirt With Oasis Front Print In White for £22, which comes in sizes XS to XXL with a similar relaxed fit. However you can check out Next's complete range here, with prices starting from £11. Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori wears ANOTHER daring look in skimpy underwear in NYC
Bianca Censori opted for yet another daring outfit as she joined her husband Kanye West for an outing in New York City over the weekend. The 30-year-old Australian architect — who recently donned a wild ensemble this week during their trip to the Big Apple — was seen shopping around the SoHo area with the rapper, 48, by her side on Saturday. Censori — who is no stranger to opting for risqué looks — showed off her legs wearing a pair of skimpy black underwear as well as a fitted long-sleeved black top. She slipped into a pair of open-toed black pumps featuring thin straps that wrapped up towards her knees. Bianca's brunette locks were parted in the middle and flowed down in light waves, allowing her bangs to fall onto her forehead. The star chose to not carry a purse with her for the daytime excursion, and simply held her smartphone in her hand. Censori — who is no stranger to risqué looks — showed off her legs wearing a pair of skimpy black underwear as well as a fitted long-sleeved black top West — who also goes by the name of Ye — matched Bianca with an all-black outfit comprised of a zipped-up jacket and matching pants. The controversial music artist completed the look with a pair of black-and-blue trainers and black sunglasses with an elastic band. The pair strolled down a crowded street in the bustling city, and they were seen stopping inside shops including Alaia. Kanye and Bianca tied the knot in 2022, but it was reported in February of this year that the two had split. It apparent breakup came shortly after her shocking naked stunt on the 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet and Ye's anti-Semitic meltdown on social media. But in April, the two appeared to have patched things up between them when they were spotted reuniting in Spain. A day before their latest outing, West and Censori enjoyed date night in NYC. As usual, she left little to the imagination by wearing a nearly naked outfit. Bianca donned a black top with a deep plunging neckline going all the way down toward her midriff. West — who also goes by the name of Ye — matched Bianca with an all-black outfit comprised of a zipped-up jacket and matching pants Feathery details were added around the neckline, and she additionally wore a pair of black underwear. Bianca and Kanye were spotted leaving a hotel together, with the rapper trailing closely behind the Australian beauty. The outing came after 50 Cent wasted no time taking aim at the pair after the rapper made a surprise appearance at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal sex trafficking trial last Friday. The Grammy winner — who has been an outspoken critic of Diddy — weighed in after Kanye showed up at the Manhattan courthouse alongside Diddy's son Christian Combs. West told reporters he was there to show support for the embattled Bad Boy Records founder. Diddy is facing explosive allegations from federal prosecutors, who claim he ran a criminal enterprise that facilitated so-called 'freak offs,' described as alleged drug-fueled orgies involving paid sex workers. Shortly after West's appearance, 50 Cent took to Instagram to mock the couple, posting an AI-generated photo of himself dressed in an all-white outfit next to footage of Kanye arriving at court in his own similar all-white ensemble. In his caption, the In Da Club hitmaker didn't hold back, even referencing Censori's nearly-nude look from the Grammy Awards red carpet earlier this year. 'We are wearing white in honor of the freak offs,' 50 Cent wrote. 'D**n Ye you should have brought your dirty little wife with that Grammys outfit! @50centaction' Meanwhile, Kanye was reportedly not on the approved attendee list for the day and was instructed to watch the proceedings via a closed-circuit video feed in the overflow room. He left the courthouse after about 30 minutes. Since walking down the aisle with Censori, the rapper has reportedly encouraged his wife to wear a number of very racy looks, which have caused a stir online. Her fashion choices, including her eye-popping red carpet stunt at the Grammys in February as well as their recent shopping trip in Mallorca, have sparked controversy about 'public indecency.' Last month, Censori angered locals after baring her breasts in a sheer bra during a shopping trip with West in Spain. Locals were 'left horrified' as the couple walked through the market in the revealing ensemble. Despite the backlash, women have been allowed to go topless in certain areas of Spain since 2020 under Catalan equality law. However, Censori's revealing look has been deemed 'inappropriate' by critics and many have been asking online, 'Why hasn't this woman been arrested for indecency yet!!!?' Before her trip to NYC, Bianca turned heads in yet another bold outfit which comprised of a skimpy nude bodysuit and fuzzy white boots. She was spotted driving a new Porsche 911 Turbo 4s as she arrived to a beauty spa in Los Angeles. Also this week, Censori was seen driving the lavish car through the streets of Beverly Hills while simultaneously looking at her phone.
