It's fair to say wine has been a significant feature in many UK households over the last two years. And potentially murder too, depending on how well you handled lockdown. Sultry chanteuse and sommelier Anna Lou Larkin combines the two in her latest show Le Wine Club which centres on the mysterious intrigue of who killed her lover. Uniquely blending wine tasting with musical comedy, Larkin is seasoned in both having performed cabaret across the UK while currently studying for a diploma with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Run-Riot caught up with Anna to learn more about her latest creation:

Kerenza Evans: What can guests to Le Wine Club expect? 

Anna Lou Larkin: A fun hour with music, storytelling and a teeny bit of magic. And hopefully to learn to appreciate wine a wee bit differently whilst feeling more confident in how they approach it.

Kerenza: Tell us about your background in cabaret.

Anna Lou: I started in cabaret as a way to be busy and to produce my own work- the constant audience feedback keeps you on your toes creatively! I was the resident performer at Cabaret Roulette for a number of years - a show where the the performers have to come up with a brand new act based on a theme voted for by the audience. Mostly I performed highly involved and very, very bawdy story songs in a variety of characters. I also enjoyed compering burlesque nights across the country as Anna Lou, my preferred character. My work now is generally a bit less blue though I'd say there is still a hint of spice!

Kerenza: You're a qualified "Wine Professional". What does this allow you to do?

Anna Lou: It means that I can get the most out of the wine I drink and have an understanding of how to make tasting more accessible and fun to people who might not be used to it. It also allows me to taste a lot of wine I wouldn't be able to buy! 

Kerenza: Your show centres around the intrigue of who killed your lover. How do you create a compelling mystery?

Anna Lou: I think if you create characters that people care about then you're half-way there. Make sure the seeds are sown early and make sure there is a twist. I'm also very keen on a jaunty musical number as misdirection...

Kerenza: Do you feel like it's harder to shock or surprise audiences now compared to 10 years ago?

Anna Lou: I think there is always the potential to surprise an audience. But I think nowadays people would be more surprised at being surprised- it's easy to feel like you've "seen it all" with all the media available to us all the time.

Kerenza: You worked professionally in French language theatre for 8 years. What are the major differences in French and English audiences?

Anna Lou: Haha I've actually only ever performed French language theatre to English audiences. I found that it's amazing what people can understand through theatre even if they don't entirely understand the language.

Kerenza: If budget or time wasn't an issue, what would be your dream show to create?

Anna Lou: I would love to create a musical wine-tasting show with a live band, set on a full working wine bar (with loads of nice retro tiling and coloured glass- love that!) where the audience can sample some of the best wines in the world. And I perform the whole second act dressed as Bacchus.

To book tickets for Le Wine Club, please click here.