Flo and Joan ~ Songs and Smiles ~ Cabaret Festival Review 2024

[Cabaret, Comedy, Music - UK] Flo and Joan Space Theatre Wed 14 June, 2024 As their rather brief opening song confirms, Flo and Joan really are sisters. Hailing from the UK they have gained international renown for their off-beat blend of comedy and music. As is often the case with siblings their singing voices blend beautifully, and if they wished they could probably make a living playing serious music. Their haunting lullaby to a legless lady living in the forest is testament to that. But that’s nowhere near as much fun as writing a song that has possibly the longest alliterative chorus in the history of music! On the surface not much about Flo and Joan’s show is serious. Songs about getting a fringe, doing the Hokey Pokey, and a young woman’s long night out on the booze are entertaining and generate plenty of laughs. Most of the songs are built around keyboard and percussion arrangements. While I enjoyed the songs that featured a full drum kit – a pretty little country tune especially – it seemed like overkill really for such minimal use. And there were times when the delivery of quick-fire lyrics got lost in the overall mix. The sisters take turns telling stories between songs, often poking fun at each other in good-natured sibling rivalry. I loved the moment when one of them extended her hand for a high five and the other just said no! Often throw away lines would reappear later in songs (“she loved me more than you!”). A visit back to the family home caused them to freak out at the amount of stuff their mother collects – trinkets, souvenirs, statues and other mantelpiece clutter.  Among this clutter was a figurine of a witch and a goose. Turns out the said witch had cursed and condemned them to a life of singing these songs for evermore as lonely spinsters. And she has in fact followed them all the way to the Cabaret Festival stage! A Pythonesque type encore tells us bluntly that we won’t be getting anymore. Flo and Joan are done, but everyone leaves feeling satisfied. In their own weird way they make you feel good about being alive. 4 stars Michael Coghlan Flo and Joan continues at the Space Theatre, Festival Centre, at various times until Sun 15 June. Buy your tickets HERE.