Little Miss Typecast cabaret review: Baby-faced revolt
A former child actor riffs on perpetual Brigitta von Trapp duty with big numbers, sharp edges and a knowing wink
‘It’s great to be eight!’ declares former child actor Chloe Halley at the start of her debut cabaret hour. She’s all grown-up now, but she’s still stuck playing the children’s roles and she’s done with that. Unless, of course, the role is still available…
The best shows take us straight out of our own world and drop us into someone else’s; usually, the more specific the world-view, the better the show. Halley quite literally tap-dances on this pin-head of specificity with a show entirely based around being baby-faced enough to be cast as Brigitta von Trapp in the annual community version of The Sound Of Music. Four times. In a row. It’s fertile ground: Halley’s big into music theatre, so there’s plenty of material to play with. Expect big numbers, dance breaks and the odd wig or two, all seen through the slightly acerbic ‘former child star’ lens. The only bum note is a ‘Baby June grows up’ finale which feels like it comes out of nowhere and doesn’t quite realise the character’s emotional arc. If you’ve ever wanted to play Annie, been a theatre-kid or theatre-kid adjacent, or ever described yourself as a triple-threat, this show is both for you and a lesson in being careful what you wish for. Heaps of fun.
Little Miss Typecast concluded at The Den at Dom Polski Centre on March 1.