★★★

“a fully packed entertainment with two performers who have an abundance of talent”

Cabaret duo Michaela Cabaret duo Michaela Betts and Colm Malloy drew an immediate laugh of appreciation from the audience with their opening number ‘It’s Going to be Another hot day’. They then went on to deliver a cleverly crafted musical journey through a range of summer-themed songs and playful gems which drew on their Scandinavian and Gaelic heritage.

Sitting in Crazy Coqs, the cool basement night club of Soho’s Brasserie Zedel, is a perfect way to end another day in record-breaking heat, especially with two clever musicians displaying a range of talents. Betts and Malloy are not new to the programming there and have followed up their Halloween show last October with another playlist of unusual and quirky numbers. Where else would you enjoy Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, Abba and Sandy Wilson in a single set – to be surprised in the middle by some old Irish lyrics and a Swedish song? Then to add to the fun, there were mid-performance strips (to bathing suits) and other costume changes. A suitable farewell song, followed by an engaging encore – a cheeky, innuendoed pastiche on tennis – completed the show.

Betts and Malloy have a great deal of skill at bringing together a whole range of musical instruments. Betts, the daughter of travelling musicians, is herself a singer-songwriter, lyricist and theatre maker with an unusually wide creative range. She describes her style as ethereal baroque-pop and she has a fine, high, clear voice not unlike that of Kate Bush, who she acknowledges as a later influence. Malloy, a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music, with a Masters in Dramaturgy, is distinguishing himself in musical theatre, and has a particular interest in Sondheim. Their joint love of the quirky, delivered as easy listening, but with great depth behind it, was evident in this performance.

They were joined on stage first by Callum Bowen, a fine songster, and then accordionist Mike McGoldrick. This contributed a full-on mix of ideas and styles but it was a shame that the guests weren’t given more to do. We just got a taster of the possible, and Betts’ powerful voice rather overwhelmed in the duo with Bowen.

In summary, even if it was a bit of a muddle musically, this was a fully packed entertainment (for such a short space of time) with two performers who have an abundance of talent. They will be back at Crazy Coqs in the autumn, if you want to catch their unique act.

TRICK OR TREAT: A HALLOWEEN CABARET

Crazy Coqs

★★★★

“a Halloween cabaret that treats audiences as intelligent music lovers rather than mere seekers of seasonal novelty”

The ‘Trick or Treat’ Cabaret at Crazy Coqs was a finely-tuned musical journey through murder songs, sung curses and other spooky delights. Singer-songwriter Michaela Betts and composer-pianist Colm Molloy performed an artfully curated playlist that included rarely performed gems from the darker corners of the musical canon. Don’t go expecting typical costume-party novelty fare—there wasn’t a “Monster Mash” in sight.

The duo kept the show dynamic and unpredictable by alternating between piano and vocals, as they performed a repertoire drawing on their Swedish Viking and Irish Pagan roots. The programming showcased the duo’s depth of musical talent and historical awareness – all delivered in an easy listening style. They balanced lighter material (including Richard O’Brien’s ‘Over at the Frankenstein Place’ from The Rocky Horror Show and ‘Scary’ by Bjork) with darker fare (including the traditional ballad, ‘The Cruel Mother’ and John Dowland’s ‘In Darkness Let Me Dwell’). The light-touch audience participation was charming – singalongs, waving light sticks and contributing candy to a trick-or-treat basket.

Whether at piano or microphone, both performers proved sensitive and dramatically acute, never overwhelming the material. This was a particularly notable achievement, given that the show was self-directed.

The guest performers were two highlights of the evenings. Molloy joined guest flautist Jacquelyn Hynes on the tin whistle for an ethereal medley of enchanting ancient Irish folk songs. Hynes’ presentation—complete with flowing red hair adorned with green fairy lights—added visual magic to match her playing. That contrasted cleverly with their second guest performer, the equally talented Sarah Kershaw who accompanied the duo on the Theremin, which provided a charming retro-futuristic interlude. The instrument’s wavering tones were supernaturally suited to Halloween atmospherics.

The staging, lighting and sound (all provided by Stella Pavoni) were flawless. She struck the perfect balance, creating atmosphere without gimmickry and ensuring every word and note landed with clarity. It’s a tiny venue with a slick operation that supported the performers to give a lovely evening’s entertainment.

If there’s a quibble, the playlist occasionally felt more showcase than cohesive narrative, though the historical context provided by the performers helped bind the eclectic material together.

Betts and Molloy have created a Halloween cabaret that treats audiences as intelligent music lovers rather than mere seekers of seasonal novelty. Their affection for each other and this music is infectious. Combined with their display of considerable technical skills, the show makes for sixty minutes of hauntingly captivating musical theatre.

Tag Archives: Michaela Betts

MIDSUMMER MAGIC

★★★

Crazy Coqs

MIDSUMMER MAGIC

Crazy Coqs

★★★

“a fully packed entertainment with two performers who have an abundance of talent”

MIDSUMMER MAGIC

Crazy Coqs

Reviewed on 26th June 2026

by Louise Sibley

Photography by Jon Griffin

MIDSUMMER MAGIC

MIDSUMMER MAGIC

MIDSUMMER MAGIC

TRICK OR TREAT: A HALLOWEEN CABARET

★★★★

Crazy Coqs

TRICK OR TREAT: A HALLOWEEN CABARET

Crazy Coqs

★★★★

“a Halloween cabaret that treats audiences as intelligent music lovers rather than mere seekers of seasonal novelty”