London Festival of Cabaret 2014: Two Faced at St James’ Studio

If you’ve ever found chemistry difficult to understand then look no further than Roulston and Young and Two Faced to point you in the right direction. Their charming raillery, delightfully funny songs and the sheer ease with which they conduct themselves make for an immensely enjoyable evening.

The piano leaps, hops, simpers and croons under Michael Roulston’s enthusiastic direction, while Sarah-Louise Young dazzles all with a humbly glamorous performance. Unashamedly self-preoccupied, the songs are yet endearing and humorous, with a focus on celebrating the unappreciated banalities of modern-day living. Facebook, the single life, pyjamas, mums and sofa days all feature, topics which juxtapose the perfectly manicured and electric vitality of the duo’s performance. This only makes the pair all the more lovable, for their down-to-earth wit presents cabaret on a more accessible level – people of all ages will delight in the comedy of this show.

Part of the London Festival of Cabaret, the sassy glamour and jaunty jazz of Two Faced harks back to spirited 1920s speakeasies and the limelight of American show business. A special New Yorker guest opens the second act, completing the show’s twinkle and giving a Yankie spin on a very British performance. The varying humour and characters of the American and the British remind the audience of the history of cabaret, where each performer represents the specific culture of the city in which they perform. This old-fashioned quality contributes towards the comforting honesty that is the essence of Roulston and Young’s collaboration.

Two Faced is entertainment at it’s most dazzling. The cynics may tire of the self-absorption of the performers but it’s not meant to be a celebration of their own lives, but one that celebrates the little quirks and vices that we all share. The charismatic grace, jovial beat and glittering splendor with which the pair deal with the small and the mundane is heart-warming, comforting and immensely uplifting.

Alex Finch

For further information and future events visit Roulston and Young’s website here.

The London Festival of Cabaret 2014 is on until 22^nd May 2014. For further information or to book visit the festival’s website here.