‘I went to The London Cabaret Club and I’ve blended emotions’ | EUROtoday

Walking as much as Victoria House at Bloomsbury Square in glitzy open-toed heels and a wrapped polka-dot white and navy knee-length gown, I’m welcomed by a grand, lovely neoclassical constructing.

On our approach into the venue, we’re given our tickets within the type of an aeroplane ticket from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Stepping down into The London Cabaret Club, I’m relieved to see that each one company made an effort to decorate glamorously for the event.

Inside, a performer is singing fantastically on the stage whereas a bunch welcomes us for the evening, indicators the cloakroom facility (it is £2 per merchandise), and exhibits us to our seats. It would appear that the cocktail lounge is the ready space earlier than the massive occasion within the ballroom.

As we had the Diamond ticket, we had our waiter serve us a refreshing raspberry Bellini cocktail alongside a bowl of crisps.

Then got here the pleasant canapés to share – six in whole – and our joint favorite was the salmon and caviar. So far, so good – the leisure would change palms, from one singer to the following with a toe-tapping efficiency from one West End performer.

The service was nice, the environment was vigorous, and me and my plus one have been having a beautiful time. Having completed off the raspberry Bellini, we had a take a look at the cocktail menu for an added buzz.

I went for Rock The Cradle (El Jimador tequila, blue curaçao, coconut cream, recent lime juice and sugar syrup) for £18. And whereas the drink tasted punchy (simply the way in which I prefer it), ingesting from the swing-like holder was a bit tough, so it appeared the drink was extra for present than for having fun with a great cocktail.

My plus one went for the laugh-out-loud “Screwing The Milkman”, additionally £18, which once more got here in a milk carton-looking cup that highlighted type over substance. While the cocktails look enjoyable, and do style good, they’re a bit gimmicky for my liking.

Having joyously spent an hour within the cocktail lounge (doorways open at 6.30pm, pre-entertainment begins at 6.30pm, and the ballroom doorways open at 7.30pm), now it was time for the massive present.

Disappointedly, the entertainers singing have been those we had already seen within the pre-entertainment part, so it appeared a bit repetitive – particularly once we have been solely given breadsticks and butter to munch on for half an hour.

When the starters did arrive at 8pm (we ordered lobster rolls with brioche, caviar and fennel), we have been overjoyed, however then it was one other hour till our mains have been served (lukewarm, I have to add), which actually dampened the night.

Having watched quite a lot of renditions, spectacular acrobatics, toe-tapping routines and dancing regimes, it nonetheless did not distract from the truth that our dinner, which we have been trying ahead to, was a let-down.

As for the performances, the all-singing, all-dancing present is an interpretation of the world famend musical, Chicago, the place Roxie Hart’s perspective is the primary theme.

However, if you have not seen the musical or the movie for a very long time (or ever), then it’s possible you’ll not catch a storyline from the jazzy manufacturing.

While some performances really are attention-grabbing, spectacular and enjoyable, the entire night feels as if it may have been condensed for a extra riveting expertise.

Then there was the after-show disco, again within the cocktail lounge, however by that point me and my plus one had our fill of leisure for one evening and have been able to go dwelling, though some company did appear to remain for the DJ set.

Roxie Rocks Chicago at The London Cabaret Club is on for a restricted time solely, ending on June 22, 2024.