MPs join the Cabaret Office

They rock and roll, perform cabaret routines and dress in drag - welcome to the other side of Westminster's politicians. For one night only, members of the main parties put aside their rivalries only a few months before the general election to put their talents on display for charity.

Maverick Labour MP Bob Marshall-Andrews took to the stage in a blonde wig, miniskirt, high heels and stockings to play Chancellor Gordon Brown's fictional secretary.

The MP for Medway had the audience of politicians, activists and friends rolling in the aisles as he answered the phone to the Prime Minister, who was asking for money for a war with Iran. "They've got weapons of mass destruction? No one's going to believe that," he said.

Mr Marshall-Andrews was the star of the seventh annual Parliamentary Palace of Varieties show at St John's Church, Smith Square, Westminster, which raised ?80,000 for

Macmillan Cancer Relief. MPs and peers let their hair down for the two-hour show - but did not miss the opportunity for some good-humoured snipes. Other highlights included the Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer as Jim Hacker in a sketch from the BBC's Yes Minister.

Commons rock band MP4 started the show with host Michael Portillo joking that guitar-playing Tony Blair may soon have the free time to join in. Featuring Labour MPs Ian Cawsey and Kevin Brennan, Tory Greg Knight and the SNP's Pete Wishart - a former member of Celtic band Runrig - the band left some of the audience slightly dazed after a rendition of the Oasis song Don't Look Back In Anger.

Lord Colwyn lead a high-tempo jazz and blues set, with MP Kenneth Purchase impressive on vocals.

A West End musical-style Prime-Minister's Questions - The Opera involved some tongue-in-cheek shots from all sides. Liberal Democrat Lembit Opik, Tory Nigel Evans and Mr Cawsey mimicked their party leaders, with choruses including "Don't cry for us angry Tony - the truth is we never loved you" and "Who do you think you are kidding Mr Howard, if you think we're on the run."