News: A Damn Fine cabaret show

We admit it. We have been more than a little bit busy this summer. 

We attended the 3 day MADFest 2025 festival, where our sweary greetings cards went down a storm. It confirmed our hypothesis that people working in marketing, advertising, media, creative and PR love a good swear and great design.

Damn Fine Greetings founders Emma and Michelle have also been busy designing, rehearsing, promoting and performing in a cabaret. Cluster Cabaret is an East London based cabaret theatre company producing unique experiences with a mix of professional and community performers and creatives.

The shows sold out. We could tell you how amazing our 'Party Like It's 1899' performances were, but we're biased. So here are some genuine reviews instead.

First up The Waltham Forest Echo:

"a cracking reimagining of London’s lost Victorian music halls. What followed was a surreal and upbeat evening of song, sketch, and bawdy theatre."

"the show was unapologetically nonsensical while the humour ranged from knowingly ridiculous to cuttingly sharp, all delivered by a talented cast that wouldn’t be out of place on the West End stage (or down the road at the new Soho Theatre)."

And here's a handful of comments from the audiences over the 3 nights:

“It felt like a Punchdrunk performance."

“Mesmerising”

“I wouldn’t be able to explain what actually happened just then, but it was bloody brilliant”

“Everyone was amazing. Bonkers and brilliant!”

Michelle and Emma were both in the ensemble, providing vocals throughout the performance. 

Emma had about 75 changes of costume (obsessed? much!). A highlight was her hilariously sinister ventriloquist's dummy with an unhealthy obsession for her human partner. 

Keen eyes may have spotted Emma busting some slinky, feline moves as a tiger in a Victorian Dancehall version of "The Lovecats" by The Cure. 

Meanwhile, Michelle beguiled, confused and seduced dads, girlfriends, mums....in fact pretty much everyone sitting in the audience with a impish, saucy demon character singing "a subversive and haunting rendition of Billie Eilish’s bad guy." 

We want to extend our thanks to Cluster Cabaret cast and crew, but especially the legends of stage and screen Ian Burfield and Lizzy Renihan. They ensured that this wasn't an 'am dram show', but a highly professional theatrical piece that genuinely delighted those who came to see it.

Keep your eyes peeled. You never know. We might get the saucy demon and sinister dummy costumes out again soon. 

Photo Credits - © Penny Dampier