Among the swishing and rustling of the ball gowns, (how do women dance in such attire?) we were treated to a sublime smorgasbord of cabaret and spectacle. Nicky Mitchell, Brighton’s hepkat queen of cool, hosted the evening with warmth and humour before introducing guest singers – notably the sassy and seductive Tracy-Jane Sullivan, who wowed onlookers on and off-stage with her perky jazz renditions of Ella and the like. If you haven’t caught Nicky Mitchell before, you might get the impression she’s just turned up on the off chance of a sing-song. Then she opens her mouth. All hell breaks lose and the energetic, honeyed tones have you hooked. Sarah Vaughan meets Doris Day on a camp night out. Other highlights included the casino (note to self, must practice poker face) and the dancing Grrrlesque. De-camping from full suits and bowler hats to stockings and basques, this fiery fivesome left the sometimes-underwhelmed crowd whooping. For my money, this years’ festival has been awash with promenade performance and burlesque and it may well be time to move on. Hats off to the Kroon Kat organisers of the finale ball though; if it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing. If only The Badger from The Apprentice had been present last night. She may have picked up a few tips and won Alan Sugar’s heart. | 
