Review of Hel Cabaret: Nocturnal Rites

Birdy’s a little bit late with this review, but since the next Hel Cabaret event is now just over a month away, it’s as good a time as any to get this one out! All photos taken by Pictures in Blood.

I was really excited to come along to my first ever Hel Cabaret (I’d booked tickets previously, but life sort of got in the way), and after they’d been so lovely to interview, too!

So, myself and my partner went out for pizza at Civerinos, and then excitedly shuffled our way down to La Belle Angele where the Hel events have been taking place since its inaugural run late last year.

NOTE: I should once again add the disclaimer that one of the founders of Hel is a good friend of mine, but this review is all about the show – just bear it in mind, though.

Hel Cabaret’s vibe

La Belle Angele was buzzing ahead of the show, and it looked like almost everyone had made an effort in terms of outfit choice, which was lovely to see.

The vibe of the show is cabaret but if it were taking place at the literal gates of Hell, and we all get to sit comfortably and see just enough of what’s going on inside to get a damn good show.

Also, I know some of the founders are frequenters of Torture Garden, and it’s very much that sort of vibe, too. Dark, sexy, fetish, and fantasy, with a good dollop of horror thrown in there!

Hel Cabaret’s format

If you’ve been to cabaret before, you’ll probably already have a good idea of the theme. There’s a lovely, vivacious host/performer by way of Abaddon Allhope – who does an incredible job, BTW – and an array of performers, including some special guests.

The audience are encouraged to whoop and cheer whenever they see something impressive, and you may want to stay away from the first couple of rows in case you’re splashed with water or fake blood. Oh, and there’s fire and a bit of pole, too!

The show itself

I love a good theme, and Nocturnal Rites was decidedly quite viking mixed with witch themed. Some outstanding performances from the likes of Selenia Castle, White Hot Blood, Doctor Hal B, Abbadon Allhope, Sergio Cosme and more!

I’d never heard of a blood eagle ritual before watching this show (if you haven’t heard of it, consider this your warning that it’s a bit gory before you Google it!) and that was probably the biggest dose of horror for me on the night. The graphic nature of that particular act has really stuck with me.

Other stand-out performances included a witch who could temporarily bring people back from the dead for their loved ones, more witchy business that included police seduction, and of course, the wrestling! That was a very fun act to end the night on.

As shows go, it’s possible to tell that Hel Cabaret is still finding its feet, with the odd technical hiccup and pause whilst acts change over, but the way those were handled was absolutely charming, and humble, with Abbadon filling in one of those gaps with her Ted Talk about how JFK was really assassinated.

I had a fantastic time, the visuals were captivating and at times utterly entrancing, the viking witchy energy was high, and it left me looking forward to the next one!

Overall

Hel Cabaret is quickly establishing itself as an unmissable Edinburgh event featuring the darker side of cabaret. More of this, please! I had a fantoosh time, and I want more dark dark, sexy fetish, fantasy themed cabaret thank you very much.