Formed in the late ’80s, The Tiger Lillies have accumulated a couple of Olivier Awards, a Grammy nomination, and a devoted cult following. Yet despite their accolades, they remain relatively unknown to mainstream audiences. This musical trio blends French chanson with punk attitude, creating a sound that’s part pre-war European cabaret, part distinctly English sensibility.
With signature grease-painted faces, they look as unnerving as their music sounds. Lead singer, songwriter and accordion player Martyn Jacques anchors the group, his face painted like a demonic panda, dressed in a black suit and bowler hat—a ghoulish Oliver Hardy. The real surprise comes when he opens his mouth: his voice is a raspy falsetto reminiscent of a tuneful Dame Edna Everage. It’s odd, but works beautifully.
He’s supported by Martin Stout on bass, musical saw and Theremin (looking like a Joker audition reject), and drummer Budi Butenop, who channels Marcel Marceau. Their music is intricate, nuanced and fundamentally different. Jacques draws inspiration from London’s streets where he spent his formative years, crafting songs about the darker side of life: crooks and whores, cheaters and blaggards, dysfunctional families and misspent youth. Death, suffering and unwise relationships form his lyrical bread and butter, served with a heavy dose of dark humour.
The recently opened Soho Theatre Walthamstow would seem a perfect match for such an act. This lovingly quirky restoration of a 1930s cinema blends original art deco beauty with delightful modern twists, creating a wonderful sense of opulence with an underbelly of anarchy. It’s an ideal sister venue to the original Soho Theatre and should have provided the perfect backdrop for The Tiger Lillies’ dark cabaret.
In Soho Songs, Jacques has curated tracks reflecting his time in the neighbourhood during the 80s. It’s a collected narrative that flits between melancholy, humour and joy, exactly what you’d expect from this unique act.
While The Tiger Lillies are musically compelling, the real joy should be Jacques’ lyrical storytelling. Unfortunately, this proves nearly impossible to follow. Whether due to his vocal delivery, audio mixing, or the venue’s acoustics, Jacques’ lyrics are largely undecipherable. Combined with a rather perfunctory performance—no audience engagement whatsoever; they simply appear, perform, and leave—the show proves somewhat disappointing.
The Tiger Lillies are undoubtedly an acquired taste. Slip into their vibe and you’re in for a treat. However, tonight’s performance is unlikely to win new converts, though it will satisfy diehards until their next outing.
Reviewed on 6 June 2025 and continues to tour
