TOPMOST

I always hesitate before writing about cabaret, because it makes me feel 67 years old. It's just one of those forms that doesn't seem to attract audiences under the age of 40, although I'm convinced that lots of people would love the experience if they just gave it a shot. (Of course, it would also help if the newspapers gave the subject a little coverage from time to time, just to make a change from all the pop-pickery.) However, I can't resist taking an opportunity to plug a terrific show which opened last night in the Jermyn Street Theatre: Jeff Harnar's celebration of the genius of Cole Porter. A magnificent evening, and you even get to hear the risqué alternative lyrics  - thought to have been written by Irving Berlin - to You're The Top:

You're The Top!
You're Miss Pinkham's tonic
You're The Top!
You're a high colonic
You're the burning heat
Of a bridal suite in use
You're the mound of Venus
You're King Kong's penis
You're self-abuse!

Wouldn't that go down well on American Idol? Harnar's residency runs till Sunday. Unquestionably a must-see.

Comments

[Craig Ranapia]

But wasn't half the charm of Porter's lyrics his ability to pack in more sophisticated sexual innuendo per square inch than anyone else? And I don't know if it's an urban myth or not, but I once read that Porter had an eye-wateringly obscene party piece (only played in the right company, of course) called But She Never Went Down On The Titanic. Probably one of those things that could only be true in a perfect world. :)

[Michele]

I live in Indiana, where Porter grew up and is buried, and I love him! I can't teach my school-age girls all his lyrics yet (viz. "I'm Always True To You In My Fashion," and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy,") but the day will come when they'll realize what I'm saying when I'm singing along! It's very hard to do naughty as well as Porter.