Time Out and Soho Theatre are delighted to announce the winner of their inaugural Edinburgh cabaret award: Lady Rizo.
Lady Rizo, who this year made her European debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, was unanimously agreed by the judges as the winner of TO&ST, the Time Out & Soho Theatre Edinburgh Cabaret Award, the Fringe’s first ever prize created to recognise cabaret work. From a very strong shortlist, Lady Rizo clearly stood out with her extraordinary voice, audience engagement, charisma and humour, in a very accomplished, slick show that embraces the joy of cabaret.
Lady Rizo was presented her award on the evening of Wednesday 22 August by the three award judges, Time Out Cabaret Editor Ben Walters, Soho Theatre Comedy & Cabaret Producer Steve Lock and Artistic Director of the Glasgow Cabaret Festival Frodo McDaniel.
On their decision the judges said:
‘I’m confident that Time Out readers who respond to the cabaret artists we have been championing for many years will find Lady Rizo sensational.’ Ben Walters
‘I love the spirit, joy and energy of Lady Rizo and we are delighted that she is the first winner of the cabaret award.’ Steve Lock
‘For a Fringe debut I could clearly see a cabaret star in the making. She deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as Camille O’Sullivan and Meow Meow.’ Frodo McDaniel
The shortlisted shows included: Dusty Limits: Post-Mortem; EastEnd Cabaret: Notoriously Kinky; An Hour Long Sinister Wink, Creative Martyrs, Piff the Magic Dragon in…Jurassic Bark and An Audience with Tomas Ford.
Following the inclusion of cabaret as a separate section at the Fringe in 2011 this is the first award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe purely for cabaret shows. TO&ST celebrates quality and brilliance in cabaret, with the award given to the show the judges believe is the best cabaret show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The three judges have seen all eligible shows and they jointly decided the shortlist and winning show. During the festival TO&ST has worked with the BBC presenting a panel discussion and late night cabaret show at the BBC venue on Potterrow. On Saturday 18 August at Assembly George Square a showcase featuring all the shortlisted shows and hosted by Miss Behave was held to celebrate the first year of the award.
LADY RIZO
Bosco, Assembly George Square, Edinburgh: Saturday 06 – Monday 27 August, 10.20pm. Book: 0131 226 0000 /www.assemblyfestival.com
New York star Lady Rizo makes her Edinburgh debut. The ‘cabaret superstar’ (New York Magazine), comedienne and chanteuse revives the genre by combining vintage arrangements and theatrical explorations of pop songs from every decade with original material. Revel in the luscious vocals of this Grammy-winning diva as she combines glamour, wit and insane charm.
