> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# BRIGHTON FRINGE REVIEW: ‘C’est Magnifique’
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-fringe-review-cest-magnifique/
- Published: 2025-05-09T13:00:42.000Z
- Updated: 2025-06-28T18:04:03.000Z
- Description: His hair slicked back, gold glitter on his face; his costume is a tatty tail coat, a corset, bare chest with a pearl necklace, lacy panties and garters holding up his socks – this is Cyril, our MC at the Club Magnifique. He calls us “gays and theys”, and is out to shock and entertain […]
- Author: Brian Butler
- Tags: Culture

His hair slicked back, gold glitter on his face; his costume is a tatty tail coat, a corset, bare chest with a pearl necklace, lacy panties and garters holding up his socks – this is Cyril, our MC at the Club Magnifique.

He calls us “gays and theys”, and is out to shock and entertain us.

**Connor Baum** struts his stuff as Cyril – friendly in a dark sort of way, camp, slightly menacing – he could be in Kander and Ebb’s Kit Kat Club. But he’s not – he’s with us at **Brighton Fringe**, and he introduces us to his small band of performers, who each has a solo turn and ensemble numbers in this 90-minute perfectly formed piece of fun.

With more than a nod to the musical *Cabaret* – we get *Money Makes The World Go Around* – there’s also Gilbert and Sullivan, Nat King Cole via *Moulin Rouge* and a couple of musical theatre songs that were new to me.

There’s innuendo aplenty – the girls – Zelda, Babette and Goldie are raunchy, and the boys – Cyril, Gaylord and Bert – range from camp to straightish.

The show goes at a frenetic pace and we even get audience participation, forced to do the hand actions and give a twirl and a Charleston step in *The Sun Has Got His Hat On*.

My favourite pieces were Connor’s stripped back, emotional *I Am What I Am* – sung from the heart; Nathan Potter as Gaylord with a touching, softly sung *Nature Boy*; and three stunning ensemble numbers, with fabulous harmonies – *Something”s Coming* from *West Side Story,* *Something About This Night* from *Neverland* and the equally haunting *Will You Bring Me To The Light* from *Violet*.

**Emma Edwards** is great as Zelda – a woman of a certain age and alcohol consumption who can belt them out with the best. **Jodie Harris** is a delightfully coquettish chanteuse as Babette, and **Hannah Sempl**e is a sexy vamp as Goldie.

**Jack Thomson** is underused in my opinion but he does tickle our imaginations singing about his “ girlfriend’s pussy” – no, no it’s a cat – honest.

We get tap routines, lots of dancing with suitcases, high kicks, the works – and **Magnus Sorensen** (keyboards) and **William Davis** (drums) give us a deceptively big sound.

But it’s Connor who rules supreme – gutsy, gay and proud; it’s a stellar performance in this five-star show.

**It’s at the marvellous Wundabarn in Victoria Gardens. Go see it next week or be sorry. Tickets at [brightonfringe.org](http://brightonfringe.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**