Christina Bianco: O Come All Ye Divas
The Charing Cross Theatre, until 7 January Rating: *****
Pint sized performer Christina Bianco can be described very easily as a sassy and sparkling entertainer. As her opening number for her show O Come All Ye Divas states, “I’m every woman”, and indeed she is.
With her musical director, Joe Louis Robinson, she has put a concert together that not only shows what an incredible mimic she is, but also that she can belt out songs that are dear to her with the best of them, especially when she sings Sondheim.
The ladies she ‘does’ she has down to a tee and by introducing a very well written comedy element to these impersonations actually reinforces her admiration for the ladies. From Celine Dion via Streisand and Kylie to Julie Andrews, the respect she has for her fellow songbirds is huge. Her diminutive stature does not prevent her from reaching notes that truly demonstrate the command she has over vocal range.
There was a lovely section in the show where it was clear she had done her homework and presented a very clever monologue, including rather naughty send ups of Lorraine Kelly, Katie Price and Amy Childs as she read passages from Dr Seuss.
The true highlight came when she asked the audience to consider what would happen if a certain diva were to sing a song that you would not normally expect them to sing? She did this by throwing crackers into the crowd and then asking who had a singer and who has a song. The result was hilarious but at the same time also very respectful towards the ladies she was impersonating.
Miss Bianco is a true original – she has no problem with self parody and knows how to work a room. A very adaptable entertainer that reinforces the fact that most good things come in small packages.
Christina Bianco’s O Come All Ye Divas runs until Saturday (7 Jan) at the Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NL charingcrosstheatre.co.uk.
Recommended for you
