Andy Mossack reviews Roxie Rocks Chicago, the latest show from the London Cabaret Club.
From the outside you would be forgiven for thinking Victoria House in Holborn’s Bloomsbury Square is simply one of London’s historic office buildings. But back in 1926 this art deco beauty was the very grand South Ballroom for the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society.
Today it is the Bloomsbury Ballroom, an event space owned by The London Cabaret Club, and every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening it hosts a full-on dining, cabaret, and late-night entertainment extravaganza.
This latest production is Roxie Rocks Chicago, a nightclub take on the famous musical, set in the roaring 20s. It’s a satire about corruption in Chicago’s criminal justice system. Rather apt I feel, as the art deco Bloomsbury Ballroom’s heyday began in the 20s, and just walking in evokes images of high society weddings and galas that must have taken place here.
Roxie Rocks Chicago at the London Cabaret Club is a proper evening out. There’s a pre-show gathering from 6.30 in the elegant Rose Bar where I enjoyed a drink and canapés whilst being treated to light entertainment from a few of the cast members. This was just a preamble to the main event signalled by the triumphant opening of the the ballroom doors, our portal to the main event. A cavernous space set up beautifully, and filled with dining tables surrounding a performance stage at its centre.
The seating was ranked according to your ticket: silver, gold, diamond and the top dog – royal diamond. My diamond ticket (from £140) included the pre-show entertainment and reserved seating, canapés and cocktail, a VIP three-course menu and access to the after party.
The whole production was a well-oiled machine, as it needed to be with such a big crowd. The table service was excellent, the food arrived promptly and hot, and the show, combining singing, dancing and various acrobatics over three acts was thoroughly entertaining. Our VIP dining area was on a raised platform towards the rear of the ballroom and offered up a perfect view of the performers.
I have to say I was impressed by the whole event which started at 6 pm and lasted until 2 am. This is a great night out on the town for anyone who fancies a pretty good three course dinner, a colourful and energetic show (well over 2 hours), and a late-night DJ set. That’s eight hours of entertainment and food right in the heart of central London.
Anyone familiar with cruise ship entertainment would be well at home here. Plenty of energy, talented performers, and the whole room bursting with a feel-good factor.
Call it a land cruising experience and you’ll get the picture. Yes, the drinks are pretty pricey, but in all honesty, if you took in a west end show, a restaurant dinner and a bit of late-night clubbing, it would probably amount to a similar cost.
Roxie Rocks Chicago at the London Cabaret Club is a barnstorming evening of entertainment. I reckon the old South Ballroom for the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society has never seen anything like it in all its 90 years.
Tell me more about Roxie Rocks Chicago at the London Cabaret Club
Roxie Rocks Chicago at the London Cabaret Club, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA.
E: bookings@thelondoncabaretclub.com T: +44 (0)20 7242 0002
Roxie Rocks Chicago at the London Cabaret Club runs from 29th February – 22nd June 2024. Copacabana follows from 27th June- 26th October 2024.
Tickets: Silver from £55 (Pre-show entertainment from 6:30pm, reserved area for the show and access to the after party). Gold from £95 (as per silver, plus three-course dinner). Diamond from £140 (as per Gold plus canapés on arrival, VIP reserved area for the show, themed cocktail, VIP 3-course menu). Royal Diamond from £185 (as per Diamond plus a half bottle of champagne and VIP 4-course dinner).
