For the past couple of weeks, singer/actress Janie Dee has been putting on a series of shows at the Charing Cross Theatre under the title ‘Beautiful World Cabarets’. These are “A series of explorations of our natural world by unique artists who have each undertaken their own personal journey”. Over the two weeks, there had been performances by the likes of Cassidy Janson, Dame Maureen Lipman, Wayne Sleep, and Julian Ovenden amongst many others and on the penultimate night it was the turn of jazz singer Ian Shaw, who had called his show Songs Of Love And Protection.
After a brief introduction from Janie Dee and a not-so-brief speech from the theatre’s managing director, Steven Levy, Shaw took the stage and his place at the piano. He started with a couple of his own songs about climate change (he didn’t tell us the titles) before following those with “Take It With Me”, a Tom Waits song. Next was an amusing anecdote about a drunken evening, eating Quavers and quinoa, which rambled on a lot longer than it needed, although the audience was amused and they stayed that way (and joined in) with a rollicking “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat” from Guys & Dolls. Shaw is a great admirer of David Bowie and sang a wonderful version of “Where Are We Now”. That was followed by another rambling self-penned song about Katie Perry’s trip into space, which seemed to tickle Shaw’s fancy. Next came the wonderful Leonard Cohen song “Dance Me To The End Of Love,” which, as Shaw told us, was inspired by the Auschwitz lady’s orchestra. During the hour or so set, he also did two other Bowie songs, “Oh You Pretty Things” and “Five Years,” which he merged seamlessly into his own song “Forty-Two,” as well as bringing Dee back to sing a song he had written for her.
Shaw is a wonderful singer, pianist and raconteur and he never fails to entertain. The only caveat is that the Charing Cross Theatre isn’t the best place to see cabaret, as it doesn’t have the intimacy of the likes of Crazy Coqs, where Dee had presented a similar series of cabaret shows earlier in the year. Having said that, Shaw never disappoints and whilst it’s too late to see him as part of this series, do try and catch him somewhere soon – he’s always great value.
Review by Alan Fitter
Beautiful World Cabarets are a series of explorations of our natural world by unique artists who have each undertaken their own personal journey, exploring and reflecting on the place nature holds in their lives and the sense of wonder it evokes.
Each artist has chosen an inspirational selection of words and music embracing musical theatre, jazz, opera and classical music, and sometimes been inspired to write their own music to express what they have learned on their voyage of discovery.
BEAUTIFUL WORLD CABARET: IAN SHAW
Charing Cross Theatre
12 July 2025
