Liberace and Liza – A Tribute ★★★★★

Liberace and Liza – A Tribute is an impersonation act of the campest, most iconic duo you ever dared imagine. Within the first moments of their performance, it is hard to convince yourself that they are not the real deal.

With the trembling of a blackout curtain, a lavishly bejewelled hand emerges: that of Liberace himself, in a fur-lined cloak on top of a gloriously sequined Highlander’s outfit, a kilt and sporran more dazzling than any King – or Queen – has sported. His piano is equally dazzling, and on it stands the trademark candelabra. David Saffert, Liberace, has all the necessary skills to pull off this brilliant tribute to ‘Mr Showmanship’ – and, better still, to make it his own. The voice, the gestures, the witty quips and twinkling eyes are perfect – and when he begins to tickle the ivories, the music that floods out is every bit as sumptuous as the man himself.

Liberace and Liza Minnelli never played together in real life, which seems a massive oversight on their parts, as this is a pitch-perfect partnership. Jillian Snow, as Liza, would fool Judy Garland herself. Enormous eyes beneath equally outlandish lashes flutter, and her trademark sparkling suit competes with and complements Liberace’s rhinestones.

Together, these two are dynamite. The repartee is absolutely on point, never less than outrageously camp and charmingly biting. Asking the audience which of Liza’s acting appearances they know, when one suggests Arrested Development, Snow squeals with delight, “Oh, the kids are in!” The pair bicker hilariously. When Liberace fails to hit a tempo change in New York, New York, Liza chastises him for taking a nap during her big finish. There is a sprinkling of local references, too: Niddrie, Susan Boyle and Highland Coos get unexpected mentions. And Liza’s glottal pronunciation of Edinburgh is worth at least half the ticket price.

The songs are firmly from the much-loved repertoire of Ms Minnelli, with some perfectly selected additions that raise the set list to a whole new level of delight. We all know it’s Liza with a Z, but this tribute features Liza with a kazoo. During Britney Spears’ Toxic, of all songs. Snow gives each song a powerhouse performance, interspersed with gasps of delight towards her accompanist and winks and quips to the audience.

Left to his own devices, David Saffert plays with a virtuosity that enraptures – if you fancy Bizet’s Carmen absolutely rocking in a jazzy, boogie-woogie style, you’ve come to the right show – before breaking his cover and, with equal skill, flipping his sporran and imploring for sanctuary in the UK!

This is a joyful celebration of two icons of their age, and time has not diminished their appeal – it’s glorious escapism!