When you walk into the London Cabaret Club** at Bloomsbury Ballroom, you feel transported thanks to the Art Deco styling right from the entry hallway. My friend Gonça and I arrived in a giddy mood for London Never Dies, the James Bond inspired cabaret night that invited us to look and feel the part. Glad rags, mascara, cocktails… still such a treat after the endlessness of lockdown.
After checking our coats, one of the serving staff led us to a table by the bar where we could drink apéritifs before the main event. The bar set-up in the long, narrow corridor into the London Cabaret Club gave me the feeling of being on a luxury train or a cruise ship. Indeed, there’s a bit of cruise ship camp to the event although it’s mostly dripping with glamour. While we drank Prosecco, long-legged ladies in bustiers and tail feathers walked up and down and a sax player serenaded us.
This was just a taste of what was to come as we made our way into the ballroom. Screens along the wall displayed images from Bond movies. Our musical host and hostess launched into a soundtrack of Bond power ballads, one smash hit after another, interspersed with some jazz and classical standards. They welcomed us to the London Cabaret Club and introduced the night ahead.
What followed was a mix of dance sets, dramatic interludes, circus acts and more cabaret style crooning. We were on the Gold package** and enjoyed a three-course meal of smoked salmon, tasty guinea fowl and tiramisu (vegan options available) while the action took place on the stage and all around us. There was so much happening you almost didn’t know where to look. We went on a toilet break and came back to find we’d missed a rather hot performer showing off his pecs skills. However, we were soon rewarded with the sight of a chiselled acrobat balancing his full weight on his fists.
The staging was top-notch with dazzling costumes ranging from elegant side-slit gowns to barely there bodysuits. Probably my favourite set piece featured our singer, bedecked in glitter and sparkle, lounging in a giant martini glass as she belted out another Bond anthem. The subliminal effect was strong too because after that we instantly ordered martinis. My eyes smarted at the price tag and frankly, this event ain’t cheap. However, when you factor in the meals, the vibes and the live entertainment, it’s about equivalent to dinner and theatre in the West End with more pizazz for your pennies.
London Never Dies is the latest in a series of themed nights created by the London Cabaret Club. They also host a Halloween event and the uber popular All That Gatsby immersive cabaret. It’s a really fun outing to get all dolled up for a date night or a girls night out and there were quite a few birthdays celebrated that evening. It all winds up with the DJ taking centre stage and lifting everyone to their feet with some party bangers.
We clapped until our palms were red, danced until our ankles hurt, and staggered out into the London air with big grins on our faces. Top night. Would we do it again? Certainly, Mr Bond.
London Never Dies is on until November 20, 2021, dinner and entertainment packages range from £50-£165. The London Cabaret Club is at Bloomsbury Ballroom, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA (Holborn/Charing Cross tube/rail). Visit www.thelondoncabaretclub.com
**We were guests of the London Cabaret Club and I was offered comp Gold package tickets as a member of the press. All opinions are strictly my own.
October Half Term 2021
