REVIEW
Cheek & Cherries! Cabaret
Balmoral Community Centre
Westcliff-on-Sea
Sat 6 Jun 2026,
Cheek & Cherries! Cabaret
Balmoral Community Centre
Westcliff-on-Sea
Sat 6 Jun 2026,
Sherry Fuller
Cheek & Cherries Cabaret is an evening of entertainment brought together by two Southend titans of variety, Sherry Fuller (Bare Cheeky Comedy) and Popina Cherry (Popina’s Powder Room) for a special Pride-aligned event.
It is this reviewer’s first time in the Balmoral Community Centre, a hidden gem in Westcliff with a cute proscenium stage and their first time at a burlesque-heavy bill. The modest bingo-hall set-up of chairs and tables belied the standard of treats in store, and keeping your eyes down was not an option in this house.
Introducing the evening, Sherry delivered a hilarious routine about an encounter with an MMA fighter and, usefully, set the rules of engagement including enthusiastic audience participation and the difference between burlesque and stripping. She also jokingly promised newcomers an orgy at half-time and engaged in banter with the Deputy Mayoress a recurring theme throughout the night.
First on the bill was co-host Popina, who performed a comedic burlesque routine as a cute, muppet-like character in a yellow feathered hat. It was a skilled and funny routine going from pathos to joy, employing mime to immerse the audience in a perverse parallel universe where Fraggles get their rocks off, complete with furry-themed Playboy prop.
It is this reviewer’s first time in the Balmoral Community Centre, a hidden gem in Westcliff with a cute proscenium stage and their first time at a burlesque-heavy bill. The modest bingo-hall set-up of chairs and tables belied the standard of treats in store, and keeping your eyes down was not an option in this house.
Introducing the evening, Sherry delivered a hilarious routine about an encounter with an MMA fighter and, usefully, set the rules of engagement including enthusiastic audience participation and the difference between burlesque and stripping. She also jokingly promised newcomers an orgy at half-time and engaged in banter with the Deputy Mayoress a recurring theme throughout the night.
First on the bill was co-host Popina, who performed a comedic burlesque routine as a cute, muppet-like character in a yellow feathered hat. It was a skilled and funny routine going from pathos to joy, employing mime to immerse the audience in a perverse parallel universe where Fraggles get their rocks off, complete with furry-themed Playboy prop.
Popina Cherry
Next on stage was Dark Claude, the comic creation of Nicky Vere Compton. Claude is a middle-aged music-hall man possessed since childhood by a demon called Finchley, who they have trapped (or not) in an alligator glove puppet, although the music-hall persona itself is the result of the possession. A succession of disparate acts came to mind - Jimmy Cricket, The League of Gentlemen, Count Arthur Strong but Dark Claude’s world is its own indescribable and very funny place. The pace and tone shifted again as Snake Boy Sunny strode into view with a display of silks and dance. The belly dancer’s moves and energy fired up the room. The technique looked incredible to a layman, and Snake Boy’s unexpectedly cheeky sign-off with an obscene hand gesture was a highlight of the night.
Dark Claude
After the first interval, Popina, now in formidable vinyl dominatrix mode complete with cane entered via the audience to take up hosting duty.
Sherry returned for a burlesque strip which (do not adjust your set) began with a dialogue sample from the film Uncle Buck, leading into a comic and engrossing routine in raincoat, trilby and felt cigar, delivered to “Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc. It climaxed in spinning tasselled pasties, narrowly avoiding a nipple reveal, which I’ve learned is a no-go in the nudity-free mode of burlesque tease.
Two Southend-based burlesque groups were next to perform. The first were Sweet FX, a rival to Popina’s troupe but here in the spirit of community and collaboration. Encouraged by the crowd, the six performers shone in a Bob Fosse-esque number, wearing sparkling jackets and tipped hats, each with one red-gloved hand (glove-tugging by hand or teeth being a burlesque motif- I’m learning!). The final reveal includes amazing “red hand” pasties. The second burlesque troupe, the Popina-mentored Cherrietes, arrived in an explosion of huge (and Pride-appropriate ) colourful boas for a wonderful teasing routine to a slowed-down cover of “A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. The blend of controlled tease and liberatory energy from both troupes was seductive, nurtured by the wild support from friends and partners in the room.
Snake Boy Sunny opened section three, this time arriving through the crowd for another display of belly-dancing prowess, getting close to the audience and signing off again with a flipped finger. Drag King Mr, Christian Gay peacocked onto the stage in a smart suit and designer stubble for a compelling striptease performance centred around a glittering bottle of scotch, playing games with stereotypes of masculinity along the way.
Sherry returned for a burlesque strip which (do not adjust your set) began with a dialogue sample from the film Uncle Buck, leading into a comic and engrossing routine in raincoat, trilby and felt cigar, delivered to “Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc. It climaxed in spinning tasselled pasties, narrowly avoiding a nipple reveal, which I’ve learned is a no-go in the nudity-free mode of burlesque tease.
Two Southend-based burlesque groups were next to perform. The first were Sweet FX, a rival to Popina’s troupe but here in the spirit of community and collaboration. Encouraged by the crowd, the six performers shone in a Bob Fosse-esque number, wearing sparkling jackets and tipped hats, each with one red-gloved hand (glove-tugging by hand or teeth being a burlesque motif- I’m learning!). The final reveal includes amazing “red hand” pasties. The second burlesque troupe, the Popina-mentored Cherrietes, arrived in an explosion of huge (and Pride-appropriate ) colourful boas for a wonderful teasing routine to a slowed-down cover of “A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. The blend of controlled tease and liberatory energy from both troupes was seductive, nurtured by the wild support from friends and partners in the room.
Snake Boy Sunny opened section three, this time arriving through the crowd for another display of belly-dancing prowess, getting close to the audience and signing off again with a flipped finger. Drag King Mr, Christian Gay peacocked onto the stage in a smart suit and designer stubble for a compelling striptease performance centred around a glittering bottle of scotch, playing games with stereotypes of masculinity along the way.
Mr Christian Gay
Christian was followed by Merlin the Grey, who announced they couldn’t perform due to a chronic condition but, after an impassioned reminder of the challenges facing this community, mustered the energy to lead the crowd in a sing-along ABBA medley complete with a few naughty lyric alterations. The final act of the packed evening was accomplished belly dancer Sofeya, whose movements responded to the beats of the drum as though a woman possessed, at once incredibly controlled yet free-form and funny.
My only very minor quibbles with the event would be the rudimentary church-hall house lighting, which meant the cabaret atmosphere was broken during the intervals, and that a little more variety might have benefited the bill, perhaps another comedian, given the bare-cheek “half” of the promise. But neither detracted from a joyous evening.
At one point Sherry observed that the quality of acts in Cheek & Cherries Cabaret would be the type you’d see in a West End venue, and she was right. But given the subversive and transgressive histories of both cabaret and burlesque, there was something special about this naughty party going off in a Westcliff-on-Sea backstreet. In a month where the promotion of Pride in libraries was banned by Essex Council, a reminder that the theatre has always been a grass roots space of safety and rebellion.
Review: Michael Upton
My only very minor quibbles with the event would be the rudimentary church-hall house lighting, which meant the cabaret atmosphere was broken during the intervals, and that a little more variety might have benefited the bill, perhaps another comedian, given the bare-cheek “half” of the promise. But neither detracted from a joyous evening.
At one point Sherry observed that the quality of acts in Cheek & Cherries Cabaret would be the type you’d see in a West End venue, and she was right. But given the subversive and transgressive histories of both cabaret and burlesque, there was something special about this naughty party going off in a Westcliff-on-Sea backstreet. In a month where the promotion of Pride in libraries was banned by Essex Council, a reminder that the theatre has always been a grass roots space of safety and rebellion.
Review: Michael Upton
Mr Christian Gay and Snake Boy Sunny photo credit: Lauren Harper-Neil
All other photo credits: Sara Allin
All other photo credits: Sara Allin
To keep up to date with shows and shenanigans, you can follow:
@Cheekandcherriescabaret
@barecheekcomedy
@popina_cherrys_powder_room
on Instagram
Cheek & Cherries returns to Balmoral Community Centre in November, early bird tickets will be on sale soon.
@Cheekandcherriescabaret
@barecheekcomedy
@popina_cherrys_powder_room
on Instagram
Cheek & Cherries returns to Balmoral Community Centre in November, early bird tickets will be on sale soon.
The dream team of Popina Cherry's Powder Room & Bare Cheek Comedy return with another Cheek & Cherries night of DELICIOUS CABARET!
Join the fun with your besties, work colleagues, lovers, or simply come by yourself and they'll make sure you feel super welcome!
AND if you're trans, they understand social anxiety can be heightened, so they have a £10 discount code for you and a friend you would like to bring!
Message any of the pages and they will share the code with you.
Expect a SPECTACULAR night with their favourite artistes from the worlds of cabaret, burlesque and comedy.
If you can't come but would like to support the show, buy a Pay it Forward ticket. You'll also be doing a good deed for someone that otherwise couldn't afford this super treat!
Doors at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. 18+: adult themes and partial nudity.
Please bring your own drinks and snacks as the venue does not have a bar, HOWEVER, Southend Pride will also be there with hot refreshments and homemade cakes, along with info about their events and ways to get support.
Accessibility: There is ample parking at the venue and a lift to the first floor. If there's anything we can do to help you enjoy the night, please get in touch
Cheek & Cherries! Cabaret
Balmoral Community Centre
Westcliff-on-Sea
Sat 6 Jun 2026,
7:30PM - 10.00PM
https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/westcliff-on-sea/balmoral-community-centre/cheek-cherries-cabaret/2026-06-06/19:30/t-glllzmr
Join the fun with your besties, work colleagues, lovers, or simply come by yourself and they'll make sure you feel super welcome!
AND if you're trans, they understand social anxiety can be heightened, so they have a £10 discount code for you and a friend you would like to bring!
Message any of the pages and they will share the code with you.
Expect a SPECTACULAR night with their favourite artistes from the worlds of cabaret, burlesque and comedy.
If you can't come but would like to support the show, buy a Pay it Forward ticket. You'll also be doing a good deed for someone that otherwise couldn't afford this super treat!
Doors at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. 18+: adult themes and partial nudity.
Please bring your own drinks and snacks as the venue does not have a bar, HOWEVER, Southend Pride will also be there with hot refreshments and homemade cakes, along with info about their events and ways to get support.
Accessibility: There is ample parking at the venue and a lift to the first floor. If there's anything we can do to help you enjoy the night, please get in touch
Cheek & Cherries! Cabaret
Balmoral Community Centre
Westcliff-on-Sea
Sat 6 Jun 2026,
7:30PM - 10.00PM
https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/westcliff-on-sea/balmoral-community-centre/cheek-cherries-cabaret/2026-06-06/19:30/t-glllzmr