Liam Cottrell & Miles Lacey - Hipster Caesars

Miles Lacey - Rumpstepper

Another great night at the Rose Theatre Café, Kingston once again saw a broad palette of live music and performance genres crammed into one night (23/05/2013) of fresh abandon.
Mosaic is hosted by the charismatic duo, Miles Lacey and Liam Cottrell, who are more than pretenders to the laurels of Kingston's Live Music empire. Working together between the varied sets, they rule the night with warmth and precision, the sound is always superb and singers voice's ring true.

Liam Cottrell -
Our Friends Records

Cottrell wears his heart on his sleeve or at least on his chest,  his community led Our Friends Records logo emblazoned proudly for us all to see. Despite his DJ persona in dark glasses he has the look of a hipster Caesar with soft locks, curling around his temples. He is no Roman despot but more of a Princeps Iuventutis, or "Prince of Youth".


Lacey is very much more hands on, music, juggling and long legged leaping. With baseball cap firmly reversed and singlet loosely hanging he stood tall like a wiry togaed Adonis amongst the suburban libertini.





Charlie Law - Poignant

The night always takes some time to warm up and that should not reflect badly on the first act Charlie Law, whose sharp wit only helped the audience simmer to the boil that bit quicker. His 'A change is gonna come' by Sam Cooke was poignant to say the least, especially in the context of the week's events.

Sean Westwood

Although this was only my second visit to Mosaic, I recognised composer/director/guitarist Sean Westwood from my last adventure in March (New Curiosity Crop) and we chatted about his latest project, a satirical musical about our celebrity culture called Snow White: The Whole Grimm Affair which will premiere at the Camden Fringe in August. Here's a sneak preview! He was very much in thought for the whole night, gently stroking his beard, the pressures ahead obviously weighing heavy in the mind.

Tommy Hare - Smoky

Moonlight Theatre served us another tasty portion of their 10 minute vignettes. Their Pinter sketch was one of the highlights last time, and although this didn't reach the same heights, I very much enjoyed the original writing/dialogue by Andy Currums.

Sheraz Yousaf

With his polka dot shirt, purple scarf thrown around the neck and smoky spectacles Tommy Hare is every bit the louche performer. Languid at first and full of latent power his earthy voice barely scuds across the tables at the Rose Theatre but once cranked up to full speed there isn't a latent bone left in the man's sinewy body. A soundtrack for late nights and bad behaviour.

Comedy was once again brought to us by Sheraz Yousaf who introduced us to three new performers, Adam Green, Dan Hooper and Evelyn Mok. The latter two were excellent and inventive especially Hooper who tickled my ribs, and I'm not known for my receptive GSOH.

Jack Buckett

Once again I never last the distance. These nights are such a successful mix of styles and personalities I over-consume and have to admit defeat with the musical equivalent of a bloated belly. I was able to loosen my belt though for Jack and Katie Buckett whose duets were beautiful, particularly 'Don't call it love' which was adapted from their larger ensemble Third Cortez/Jingo.



Dan Hooper -
Comedian

Jack Buckett kept disappearing under waves of his  hair whilst Katie Buckett epitomises everything that is great about the ethos at Mosaic. Here was a multi talented performer flying by the seat of her pants tonight, desperately holding onto her top hat whilst her musical bucking steed entertained us all, but during the day she was busy preparing for a fascinating solo show of her surrealist paintings in Shoreditch.
When Mosaic next comes around for another special night at The Rose Theatre I will indeed be lending them my ears.

Valvete!

AL.