After 18 years away from the London stage, cult cabaret legends Kiki & Herb are set to make a thunderous return to the capital with their all-new show Kiki & Herb Are Trying. Presented by Soho Theatre Walthamstow from 3rd to 5th July, this limited run promises a ferocious mix of biting humour, raw emotion and queer performance brilliance.
Kiki & Herb – the creation of Obie-winning duo Justin Vivian Bond and Kenny Mellman – are more than just a cabaret act. They’re a chaotic cocktail of punk opera, political satire and showbiz survivalism. They’ve stormed stages from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, and now, after years in the cabaret wilderness, they’re back where their UK stardom began: Soho Theatre.
A London Legacy
It was in 2002, at Soho Theatre, Dean Street, that Kiki & Herb first began winning hearts and dropping jaws. Their brand of unapologetically queer, unfiltered performance turned heads across the capital and established them as icons of underground theatre. Now, with their 2025 return to Walthamstow, they’re ready to shake things up all over again.
The show – running 120 minutes with an interval – will be followed by an afterparty on Thursday 3rd July, open to invited guests and sure to channel the duo’s signature off-the-wall energy.
Who Are Kiki & Herb?
Picture this: a washed-up lounge singer (Kiki), drenched in gin and regret, belting out pop songs and political commentary in a gravelly voice that’s part Tom Waits, part Judy Garland. At her side is the ever-faithful Herb, piano-thumper and emotional crutch, keeping it together with musical brilliance and perfectly timed breakdowns. Theirs is a performance that swings wildly between comedy, tragedy, and something uniquely theatrical.
After years in retirement – or so they claimed – life has dragged them back into the spotlight. With US cheques stopped, old flames gone cold, and even Canadian Club out of budget, Kiki & Herb are trying again. London, get ready.
What to Expect
Expect wild reinterpretations of pop songs, socio-political jabs wrapped in wit, and a kind of chaos that’s both deliberate and devastatingly honest. Their new show isn’t just entertainment – it’s a commentary on ageing, survival, identity, and showbiz burnout.
As Steve Lock, Head of Comedy at Soho Theatre puts it, “They helped define what Soho Theatre became – raw, boundary-pushing, and unforgettable.”
Event Info
Show: Kiki & Herb Are Trying
Dates: 3–5 July 2025
Time: 8:00 PM (120 mins incl. interval)
Venue: Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Address: 186 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London, E17 4QH
Tickets: £39 – £53 (incl. fees)
Book: www.sohotheatre.com
Verdict? Whether you’re a long-time fan or a cabaret newcomer, Kiki & Herb Are Trying is the kind of theatrical event that tries hard – and triumphs harder. Equal parts punk opera and emotional therapy session, this is one show London can’t afford to miss.
We’ll see you at the afterparty.
