CABARET should always have a frisson of wanton wit, a hint of burlesque, some risqué songs … and even a pinch of decadence. In the capable hands of Charlie Bicknell and Louise Innes it also has balls or claws – or Claus, if you will. The always in-demand duo have three dates before Christmas, on Friday 5th December at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre, Saturday 6th at Bridport Arts Centre and Friday 12th at the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. And in the new year, on Thursday 29th January, they are at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton, with Dorset’s rural touring charity, Artsreach.

Charlie Bicknell and Louise Innes invite you to join them for an evening which showcases their own inimitable mix of irreverent and surreal. From Flashdance to Simon and Garfunkel interspersed with stimulating radio broadcasts from BBC’s Back Row, expect AC/DC and even a throw-back to Not the Nine O Clock News. Cabaret with Balls is a refreshing departure from real life and an arrival at the conclusion that it’s all bollocks anyway … but Charlie will still be Holding out for that Hero…

Charlie Bicknell became a household name playing Delilah in BBC2’s This Life and subsequently starred as Scout in Ben Elton’s West End hit Popcorn. Continuing to work as an actress with leading roles in the West End, National theatre, Birmingham Rep, Chichester and more, and in TV and film, Charlie then moved into cabaret and circus, performing all over the world.

Louise Innes is a versatile operatic mezzo soprano who made her Royal Opera debut in 2010 singing Mercedes in Carmen. She has gone on to perform a variety of roles at venues including Covent Gardene, Scottish Opera, La Scala, the Royal Festival Hall and 10 Downing Street to name but a few.