London Alternative Fringe Festival Launch Party

London Alternative Fringe Launch Party http://www.alternativefringe.com 7pm to 12pm Thursday 8th July Madame JoJo's, 8 10 Brewer Street, London, W1F 0SE Tickets available on the door - 15 This August, London will host a month-long celebration of its thriving alternative nightlife with events right across the Capital. Performances will range from the bizarre to the beautiful, the sumptuous to the seedy and the opulent to the just plain odd - and if you can't wait until then to find out more, our special preview showcase promises to give a tantalising taster of the festivities that lie ahead. Acts will include the moustachioed men of mystery Moonfish Rhumba, transatlantic comedy duo Pistol and Jack, the bewitching Bernadette Byrne and sexually confused Victor/Victoria with their EastEnd Cabaret, Ben Watsons History of the Everything (in 5 minutes), and not to forget the cabaret legend Des OConnor. ---------------------- Line up Includes: ---------------------- Host: Desmond O'Connor Desmond O'Connor is an internationally renowned musical comedian whose bittersweet lyrics and insanely catchy melodies never fail to shock, charm and entertain. With a comedy song writing career that began as musical director of the Cambridge Footlights under the presidency of David Mitchell (Peep Show), Desmond is now one of the most exciting and original acts on the Burlesque and Variety scene. Regular club and festival performances in London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin and New York, alongside an acclaimed appearance at the New York Burlesque Festival 2008, have earned Desmond a far-reaching army of loyal fans. ---------------------- The History of Everything (In Five Minutes) To use the words of Ronseal Quick drying woodstain "does exactly what it says on the tin" Everythng thats ever happend in the world, the universe and life itself ever ever...in 5 minutes, give or take the odd one or two things! A fast frenetic physical theatre comedy piece. ---------------------- Moonfish Rhumba Brace yourselves for a baptism of waistcoats, a moustache and a slice of the divine, the sublime and the down right ridiculous. Oddball laughter makers, the MOONFISH RHUMBA, aka. Dan Lees and Guy Combes were Amused Moose finalists and Hackney Empire finalists 2009. This anarchic duo have rapidly become cult favourites on the comedy and cabaret circuits, adored for their unique blend of musical mayhem and off the wall comedy. 'A vision of what the '70s could have been if only they'd tried harder' -Time Out 'A fantastic musical comedy group.. I really loved it!'-Smooth FM http://www.moonfishrhumba.com ---------------------- Clare McKenna: Ring the Bells! After a week's of trailing New York's best-est Thai bars in 11th Ave, Clare came across a women with a story, with a warning, but more importantly - with a Moral! So, cross your legs and listen to how Shirley Devore changed her life. But be careful, by the end you'll have them uncrossed and unzipped! Be ready to re-evaluate your life... ---------------------- Pistol and Jack "She's an American pop princess and he's a Cockney rock god. Raw, clever, and camp, Pistol & Jack perform character comedy spiked with their own special brand of mashed-up pop songs -- from Lady Gaga to David Bowie -- inventively woven together and performed like you've never heard them before. http://www.pistolandjack.co.uk ---------------------- EastEnd Cabaret Be enthralled by the bewitching Bernadette Byrne and, ever so slightly strange, Victor/Victoria as they muse wantonly on sex, love, communism and (did I mention it?) sex! EastEnd Cabaret mix their own original songs with shamelessly appropriated classics from Brecht to Britney. Complete with communist puppets this is modern cabaret-original and always inspiring. ---------------------- No Strings! The Gypsy - She's a mystery! A comedy cabaret stage act. The Gypsy has great skills in feux fortune telling and delights the audience with her iginative guesswork. With audience participation and a hilarious palm reading climax. ---------------------- Beau Burlington! A 1920s styled hot step swing dance, a fan dance like you've never seen it! Beau Burlington dances some pretty impressive footwork, safe behind her large twirling ostrich feather fans, but is soon fleeced by their mysterious shrinking properties. Finally she is left with only a couple of well-placed feathers and a red face! ---------------------- Promoters and Performers - to find out more about showcasing your production at the Press Launch or how to include your show in the Fringe please email info@alternativefringe.com