Empress of the Blues: The Bessie Smith Story | 30th April, 7pm

Welcome to “Empress of the Blues: The Bessie Smith Story,” a soulful journey through the life and music of Bessie Smith, performed by Julia Titus aka Ma Bessie (Vocals), George Webster (Piano), Clare Hirst (Clarinet/Sax) and Miles Danso (Bass).

This narrated show brings to life the raw emotion and resilience of Bessie Smith, whose voice defined an era. Through 18 of her iconic songs, including “Downhearted Blues,” “St. Louis Blues,” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” we explore Bessie’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming the highest-paid black entertainer of her time. ...

Lorna Dallas: Snapshots | 23rd April, 7pm

Lorna Dallas, one of cabaret’s most acclaimed and cherished artists and the recipient of a special 2020 New York Bistro Award for “Consummate Cabaret Artistry” brings her latest musical offering, “Snapshots” to Crazy Coqs for one night only.

“Snapshots” is yet another dazzling display of Ms. Dallas’ formidable prowess as both an actress and a vocalist, interspersing soaring song with personal stories (snapshots) from her life and career on both sides of the Atlantic. Musically, the program is diverse and daring, offering well-known gems along with rarities from some of the finest songwriters on either shore: Marvin Hamlisch, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Maury Yeston and Jerry Herman. And, because she has been hailed as one of his foremost interpreters, Ivor Novello.

The evening has been devised by her award-winning American collaborators, director Barry Kleinbort and musical director, Christopher Denny. Simon Beck will be at the piano for this performance. ...

Karen Mason: Kander & Ebb… And All That Jazz! | 24th and 28th April, 7pm

Karen Mason returns to The Crazy Coqs to share her love of songwriters John Kander and Fred Ebb with songs from her new Award-winning album, Kander & Ebb… And All That Jazz!

As one of the original stars of the off-Broadway production of And The World Goes ‘Round, Mason has a personal connection to these legends and their music. A night of unforgettable stories, laughter, and music, Including “Ring Them Bells,” “All That Jazz,” and “A Quiet Thing.”

This new show highlights Mason’s vocal prowess, charisma, and overall versatility. Her storytelling is as stellar as her vocals.

MD: Simon Beck ...

Benjamin Scheuer in Concert | 22nd April, 9.15pm

Benjamin Scheuer is a master storyteller in song and a virtuoso guitar player. Perhaps you’ve seen him solo at the Royal Albert Hall or Lincoln Center in New York. This evening, Benjamin will share material from his Drama Desk Award-winning show THE LION, and material from the forthcoming sequel, A MOUNTAIN FOR ELODIE, as well as songs from a new record. ...

Flat and the Curves | 23rd April, 9.15pm

Flat and the Curves return to their sell-out residency with critically acclaimed musical comedy.

As seen on the BBC and hailed as “the most dynamic girl band to hit the circuit in 40 years” (Sunday Express), their unique cabaret of camaraderie brings original anthems that satirise modern womanhood. From sisterhoods forged over grape-induced wisdom to chaotic hen-do WhatsApp groups, these powerhouses deliver an unforgettable hour.

Following their critically-acclaimed Fringe show, the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees uniquely combine exceptional vocals with outrageously candid comedy. With fans including Drag Race royalty Danny Beard, who describes them as “Six meets Bridesmaids”, cabaret icon Christina Bianco, and comedy legend Stewart Lee, this riotous show provides an evening of belly-laughs, bitter truths, and the sort of catharsis women usually only achieve through screaming into pillows. ...

Robert Hazle sings ‘The Shows We Used To Know’ | 20th April, 5pm

Join Robert Hazle – rising star of the cabaret scene and self-confessed theatre history nerd – for a celebration of the forgotten favourites and fabulous flops of British musical theatre. With help from frequent collaborator Helena Northcote, rediscover a treasure trove of songs by Noel Coward, Cicely Courtneidge, Vivian Ellis, Jessie Matthews, Julian Slade, Anthony Newley, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many more…

A heartfelt rallying cry not to forget ‘The Shows We Used To Know’!

Robert Hazle is an award-winning cabaret performer and musical director. Familiar to Crazy Coqs audiences for his Noel Coward repertoire, recent credits also include A Marvellous Party (Prince of Wales Theatre) with Judi Dench and Ian McKellan, Noel Coward’s London Calling! at the Duke of York’s Theatre (which he devised, directed and which starred Damian Lewis and Indira Varma). ...

Piaf Remembered | 15th April, 7pm

Piaf looms very large in the collective memories of the French public. She is both an icon, and a representative of a very romantic ‘back & white’ age. Piaf particularly holds sway in the memory of an older generation in many countries, but has a huge number of fans in all age groups. Even those born long after her heyday know of her, her glorious music, her troubled life, and her untimely death. Her music lives on in her records, film, and in the memories of those who saw her perform.

We meet a man who shares his fleeting memories of Edith Piaf’s final emotional performance at the Olympia Music Hall Paris in 1962 that he attended as a child, and which led him to become a lifelong fan. Written and directed by Gary Merry, featuring the sweeping vocals of Oriana Curls, this show is a must for fans of jazz, chanson, and theatre alike.

Including multi-instrumentalist, Katy Jungmann on saxophone, clarinet and accordion. Chris Jerome on piano. ...

Debbie Wileman: Garland, Bowie and Newley – Lost Treasures and Hidden Gems | April 11th, 9.15pm

Debbie Wileman, famous for portraying Judy Garland at New York’s Carnegie Hall and The Ambassadors Theatre, London, brings a more intimate cabaret show to Crazy Coqs. Singing songs by her three favourite singers, which although fabulous, are very rarely heard live. Excavated from the depths of the MGM vaults or discovered deep in the Decca Records back catalogue.

Wileman will be performing these lesser-heard gems to give fans of Judy, Dave and Tony something a little different. To avoid cries of “Sing something we know!” she will also throw a few hits in there for good measure!

She will be ably accompanied by Showstopper’s Chris Ash and also by Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. ...

Miss Hope Springs – A Star is Thawed | 13th April, 7.30pm

You asked, we delivered! Join Miss Hope Springs as she returns to the Crazy Coqs stage with an array of all-original numbers from her repertoire of ridiculously catchy self-penned songs, and tells scandalous stories from her ‘Ritz to the pits’ life in London, Paris, and erm, Dungeness.

Still wearing the sequinned pantsuits she left Las Vegas wearing in 1972, you’ll hear her unique brand of toe-tapping show tunes, smouldering ballads and hysterical comedy numbers. ...

Ceili O’Connor: Unfiltered | 13th April, 5pm

Ceili O’Connor returns to Crazy Coqs fresh from a whirlwind of life, love, and laughter. Since she last took to the stage here, she has survived a big breakup, traveled Asia (with a severe gluten & soya intolerance) playing a dream role, and has since done more downward dogs than she’s had hot dinners. Now, feeling happier than ever, Ceili is back to share the chaos.

Expect a night of stories, silliness, and an array of songs, ranging from Broadway’s brand new hit, Death Becomes Her, to Pop Princess Sabrina Carpenter and Queen of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald– making choices isn’t always Ceili’s forte, so why not sing it all?

With special guests, unexpected twists, and a few ridiculous games along the way, this is cabaret with a capital ‘C’ and promises a whole load of Chaos with Ceili.

Musical Direction by the fabulous Alex Parker. ...

Louise Clare Marshall | 12th April, 7pm

Louise Clare Marshall has been captivating audiences with her exceptional voice since childhood. A classically trained pianist, she began her musical journey at Oldham Music Centre, then at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, singing with the Oldham Girls Choir, The National Youth Choir of Great Britain and then moving to London to study piano at Guildhall School of Music.

From performing in West End shows such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ to recording for TV, film, and radio, including ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Louise has embraced every opportunity with creativity and flair.

Currently a featured vocalist with Jools Holland and his Orchestra, Louise has toured globally and performed recently alongside icons like David Gilmour on his ‘Luck and Strange’, and Soft Cell. ...

Spice Jazz Soho: Brandon Allen presents ‘Some Kinda Mean’, 10th April, 9.15pm

After 25 years of solid jazz promoting, as founded by Paul Pace, at the Spice of Life Soho, nurturing upcoming talents as well as established masters of the music, the SpiceJazz Team (Tara Minton and Clement Regert) are excited to relocate their acclaimed operation to the well-appointed and stylish music room of Crazy Coqs.

A journey into the musical life of David ‘Fathead’ Newman. The project will explore Newman’s work with Ray Charles, straight ahead albums with saxophonists Stanley Turrentine & James Clay, collaborations with Hammond organists, Jimmy McGriff and Lonnie Smith and his soul jazz/funk releases on Atlantic and Prestige. ...

Felix Hagan | 9th April, 9.15pm

Felix Hagan is the co-writer and composer behind the West End and Broadway smash hit musical Operation Mincemeat.

The “Best reviewed show in West End history” has just been extended for the fourteenth time, and is now also dazzling audiences across the Atlantic. Having arrived back in England as a freshly-minted Broadway composer, Felix cannot wait to return to Crazy Coqs for another evening of singing, stories and pure unadulterated joy.

Performing songs from Operation Mincemeat, older favourites from Felix Hagan & The Family as well as plenty of tunes from his upcoming brand new album, this promises to be a truly beautiful evening of music. ...

KT and Heather Sullivan: Carpet Ride | 7th April, 7pm

KT Sullivan and her sister Heather Sullivan, star entertainer on Cunard, will take you on a magic carpet ride around the world with their favourite composers, including Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, and Noël Coward. ...

Swinging That Devilin’ Tune: Hot Fresh Jazz from Paris | 6th April, 7pm

Presenting the London debut of the fresh new band, The Spicy L’il Devils, in celebration of their new album ‘No Regrets’. This is a multinational band of some of the world’s finest ‘old time swing jazz’ players of today.

Burning-on-the-spot improv and exciting arrangements of swinging 1930s jazz standards – expect solid nods to Charlie Christian, Eddie Lang and Georgia White, as well as Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday in their early small band years.

This is a vivacious band from France, Colombia and Scotland who guarantee an exhilarating night of tunes – suitable for all music fans– from the most discerning jazz ears to the wildest balboa and lindy dancers. Don’t miss this debut! ...