The new KING VILLA show . . . directed by Elkie Deadman
Swingers in Suspenders
Welcome to a swinging cabaret night at the King Villa Lounge, Sunset Boulevard.
"Tonight we leave the Great Depression outside, say no to prohibition and swing our way through Hollywood's
golden age with some of the best swingers in the business ."
James Cagney and Joan Crawford host a galaxy of musical stars ... Bing Crosby, Marlene Dietrich, Groucho Marx,
Carmen Miranda, Dean Martin, Edith Piaf, The Andrews Sisters and Frank Sinatra have already agreed to lend their talents!
So ...what could possibly go wrong? . . .
King Villa performers Jo King and Alexi Harden sing and play piano, trumpet and saxophone in "Glorious Technicolor"
and occasionally stark "Film Noir". Song, dance, comedy, puppetry, glamorous costumes (including suspenders) are all here
in a kaleidoscopic, burlesque review of the 1930's, 40's and 50's.
Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
Jo King co-founded King Villa with Rachel Colles in 1998, after touring with Horse and Bamboo, Kneehigh and Pentabus theatre companies.
Since 2003 he has enjoyed success with his solo production 'the frankly SINATRA show' in Spain, Holland and Great Britain.
Jo King as Bing Crosby
He first joined forces with Alexi Harden back in 1975, when they hit the dizzy heights of High Wycombe with a guitar,
five Beatles' songs and 32 beans in a jam-jar!
Alexi Harden has been a professional piano teacher for 25 years. Now she enjoys occasionally breaking away from the
confines of the classroom, and revealing her suspenders to everyone!
Alexi Harden as Joan Crawford
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Little Girls From Little Rock
Technical Requirements
DURATION AND SUITABILITY - The complete show consists of two 45-minute sets. We require an interval of 20 minutes to allow time for resetting props and costume changes. The show is aimed at adults but suitable for anyone over 11 yrs old. P.G certificate.
GET IN - OUT - It usually takes us two hours to build up the P.A, set up the back screens and sort out the costumes and props. Any extra help we get reduces this time. We prefer to have everything ready one hour before the show begins, or earlier in order to be ready before the audience arrive at the venue. Get outs take an hour.
PERFORMANCE SPACE - Ideally 5 meters wide by 3 meters deep.
AMPLIFICATION AND LIGHTS - We have our own sound system and lights
Lilli Marlene
photo by Dickon Siddall
Carmen Miranda and James Cagney
Carmen Miranda and Groucho Marx
photo by Dickon Siddall
A message from Cuba
photo by Dickon Siddall
Live footage from the show
Quotes from the tour so far:
'Fresh and dynamic, it really was top notch entertainment.'
Cleve Prior Village Hall, Feb 2009
The great surprise to me was how funny it all was – I didn’t expect to be laughing so much . . .
The costumes were amazing.
From The Queniborough Gazette March 2009
'We have had an absolutely fabulous evening – so funny and so entertaining.'
Shutford Village Hall, Feb 2009
'Excellent in every respect. No-one wanted to go home!'
Birlingham Village Hall, Feb 2009
'A lively and faultlessly performed show'
Fechenham Village Hall, March 2009
'Could not have chosen a better act or more enjoyable evening than King Villa'
Bentley Village Hall, April 2009
'A wonderfully relaxing evening, which brought back nostalgic memories. Thank you very much for a great Friday evening!'
'A most entertaining and enjoyable evening. Very talented couple. Many thanks.'
'Fantastic'
Live and Local promoters, Feb 2009
'Yes please Miss Crawford!'
Most of the men in the audience
