We raise a vesper martini to The London Cabaret Club’s 007-themed event
Words: Millie Milliken Photos: Lorna Jane Newman Photography
Simon Le Bon blowing up a blimp, with a Walkman, in a beret. Few things inspire such nostalgia in me as watching Duran Duran’s music video for A View to a Kill. In fact, the theme songs that open James Bond films are integral to my fandom, so a 007-themed evening that puts Shirley Bassey, Carly Simon et al centre stage? Try and stop me.
The London Cabaret Club chose its London Never Dies show to announce its residency at Bloomsbury Ballroom. As we arrive, the dancers are gathered around a shiny Aston Martin DB9 (one of 50 special Bond editions created to celebrate the release of Spectre). Other touches like this – vesper and lychee martinis, showgirls in military get-up and, um, Sinitta – set the scene before we take our seats around the stage in the venue’s art deco ballroom.
Boulevard Events are in charge of the food tonight. Miss Moneypenny’s black forest gateau is suitably retro, but it’s hard to concentrate on eating when someone’s angle grinding a crotch plate in front of you. Fun, though. The performances range from classic cabaret to fire eating, roller skating and an Octopussy-inspired finale that does justice to the film’s Indian setting.
Bassey’s Diamonds Are Forever leaves a big impression and is accompanied by a hypnotic lineup of girls in glittering, diamanté dresses. Goldfinger, in particular, is a showcase for the talents of costumiers Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro. The production values are rather impressive too: Tom Sutherland and his production team have created effects that evoke ocean spray and helicopter blades.
Show over, we leave the rest of the crowd to enjoy some late-night gambling. We’re a little tired of casino tables at events but we’re prepared to forgive the guys this time. After all, a game of baccarat never hurt anyone, did it James?
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The 007-named dishes from Boulevard Events tied the Bond theme together nicely
Suppliers
Food Boulevard Events
Drinks Diageo, Moët Hennessy
Production The London Cabaret Club
This article was first published in SquareMeal Venues + Events, Spring/Summer 2017