The baptism of brine. This time it is Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 debut album ‘She’s So Unusual’ that is taking the plunge
Salty Brine is back and marking his third show at Soho theatre with a glitteringly gagworthy murder mystery, Salty Brine: He’s So Unusual.
As part of his ongoing hit studded project, The Living Record Collection, which has seen the work of artists such as the Smiths, Annie Lennox, Harry Nilsson and many others, be given the baptism of brine. This time it is Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 debut album ‘She’s So Unusual’ that is taking the plunge.
Set against the dark underbelly of prohibition New York, Soho Theatre basement makes for a snug and mischievous space for Brine’s story to unfold. Playing the character of WB Leslie, a fictional 30s cabaret performer who faded from fame and died in the 60s, who is back to solve a murder that took place in the front row of his New Years Eve show. Brine is accompanied on stage by a live band as well as the show’s musical director and arranger, Ben Langhorst as “The Duchesse”, who regally sits and plays the piano assisting Brine in the narration and singing of their story, in an attempt to settle their unfinished business. With their faces and lips glamorously painted, together they perform a brilliantly camp double act full of razor-sharp wit, fabulous comedic timing, and not to mention excellent vocals.
George Chauncey’s history book Gay New York, informs the context of this show. As with the other shows from The Living Record Collection series Brine uses seminal texts as springboards for narrative and characters. Chauncey’s work addresses how gay life in Prohibition New York was not repressed as many would seem to think but rather, conspicuously flourishing. Brine and Langhorst characters are captivating and unapologetic, and prove Chauncey’s ideas true. Additionally, coupled with Lauper’s lyrics which, within these 30’s style arrangements and context, take on a new meaning; songs such as Girls just want to have fun and All through the Night, now stand as anthems for the 30s “sexual deviant”.
Brine’s show is a careful and cleverly constructed musical tapestry, full of levity and sass. Like much of cabaret there is a darker side to this show, specifically a pervasive undertone of violence and threat, consistent with gay life for the era, that rings throughout the performance. Yet, Brine never lets the audience sit in the darkness for too long, the show does not encourage the audience to dwell, as either a quick one liner or a song propels the story forward into another interesting turn.
Salty Brine is doing cabaret differently and right, this show will definitely satiate your need for laughter, warmth, gossip and nostalgia. Personally, I think Langhorst’s arrangements and performance are the unsung hero of this show and I was in awe of his stage presence and ease in which he could make the audience laugh or hold their breath. Full of mischief and verve, this show sparkles like freshly popped champagne. I look forward to the next show Brine has to offer.
Salty Brine: He’s So Unusual plays at Soho Theatre Dean Street until 22nd November