La Soirée is giving away four “Posh Seats” to one lucky winner this Christmas.

A heady cocktail of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary variety La Soirée is a rare and unforgettable treat in the incredible setting of the Roundhouse in Camden.

These tickets entitle you to a reserved table with table service before and throughout the performance, not to mention a great view of all of the performers close up!

Due to the risqué nature of some of the acts, La Soirée is recommended for adults only.

Enter now to win this fantastic festive night out!

After enjoying White Mischief so much in March, I returned this weekend to see what they’d come up with for Halloween.

The steampunk extravaganza had a great line-up of entertainment including comedian Nina Conti, singer David McAlmont and neo-burlesque artist Empress Stah.

I was happily surprised that my very favourite cabaret entertainer Dusty Limits was hosting the evening. As usual, he had the best make up, songs and jokes and almost made me want the main acts off the stage so I could see more of him!

We also had lots of fun watching Mac Abbe et le Zombi Orchestra, meeting a man-eating plant and dancing to a few golden oldies in the Devil’s Dance room.

So what did my fellow White Mischief-goers think of the night?

“What a great evening. I was amazed by the effort that everyone had put into their costumes. Imagination was certainly not in short supply.  I’ll definitely be back. Well done White Mischief!”
Gillian, 29, Herne Hill

“White Mischief wins! Fabulous night, loved the costumes and the varied wacky entertainment, didn’t love the sore feet from too much dancing.”
Nic, 31, Shoreditch

“A good time had by all. Full marks to the David Bowie impersonator for his costume.”
Ben, 28

“Any Halloween event that promises a “Zombi Orchestra” is clearly looking to make a big impact, and White Mischief didnt disappoint. The evening had a great atmosphere and some brilliant live acts, and was really made by the effort that guests went to with fancy dress. There can’t be many events where David Bowie can be found cavorting next to a zebra….” Sarah, 27, Essex

What did you do for Halloween?

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Twisted Cabaret, a variety show focusing on the dark side of cabaret, at Bush Hall. Wasn’t cabaret dark enough already? Well, no, it turns out there was plenty I hadn’t seen before.

So I sat down to two and a half hours of the weird and wonderful. From a light bulb-crunching burlesque dancer to a fire-eating fishman.

I winced as Vivid Angel hammered nails into her nose, chuckled at Spencer Maybe‘s boy burlesque (Dracula doing a striptease), was wowed by headliner Empress Stah‘s aerial acrobatics and silently prayed not to be chosen to go on stage for Ophelia Bitz‘s rather fruity song!

Host Dusty Limits was on fine form as always (though I noticed even he watched some of the acts through his hands!) The lovely old Bush Hall with its chandeliers and Victorian fittings was the perfect venue for this show (apart from when the roof started to leak but it was pouring outside).

Twisted Cabaret was a good start to the spooky month of October – it would be even better if they put this on over Halloween weekend.

Twisted Cabaret was on for two nights at the Bush Hall but you can find lots more cabaret and burlesque listings on our main site.

Last night’s London Burlesque Festival opening was a glamorous affair attended by media, the general public and stars of the UK and international burlesque stage.

The sumptuous Café de Paris is a great venue for this sort of event and the evening got off to a saucy start with, quite appropriately, a lingerie fashion parade. Announced by Bond Girl burlesquer Agent Lynch, the retro-styled Bettie Page collection by festival sponsor Secrets In Lace was modelled by a series of burlesque beauties.

Next up was the Red Carpet Rollout – where the festival’s top performers were introduced by the husky-voiced host, Ivy Paige. It was a nice touch and a tantalising taste of things to come. Despite the volcano situation, this year’s festival will feature artists from Antwerp to Australia, New York to NZ and, of course, the best of British burlesquers (including Visit London-featured Kiki Kaboom).

Impressive acts in the first half included festival organiser Beeby Rose from Amsterdam, who fluttered our feathers with her red and gold parrot. Then there was Bristol lass Bettie Bottom Dollar, whose Charlie Chaplin burlesque was my favourite act of the evening. We also had some fire eating, or rather fire licking, and unzipping (!) from hot Italian Miss Honey Lulu.

Part two featured a swing dance strip by Missy Fatale and Ben from Swingcopation. And there was Equador the Wizard‘s magic boylesque with a Queen soundtrack, plus Perth trio Sugar Blue Burlesque with their “cherry mambo”… cherry ripe!

It’s only just begun and I can’t wait for the rest of the delights in store as London Burlesque Festival week continues.

On Saturday night, I glammed it up for a evening of cabaret, comedy and burlesque at Wam Bam Club in the West End.

Wam Bam is a weekly event, held in the sumptuous surrounds of Café de Paris. For those who haven’t been, the venue is a Grade II listed building that opened in 1924 and retains all of its Art Deco opulence. The staff add to the luxe feel – whisking away coats and ushering us to our table with a flourish, then continuing to be solicitous but not intrusive all evening.

The club was set up cabaret style with tables of two to six, and exclusive banquette seating on one side. They had carefully arranged each table so all diners had a good view of the stage. As did the non-dining guests, who filled up the first-floor balcony areas.

Wam Bam’s lineup, led by the vivacious Lady Alex, was a mixed bag. My companions and I loved retro dancers Cirque de la Rouge, were impressed by Craig the Hula Boy’s skills, enjoyed Missy Malone’s burlesque, and laughed lots at Jack Whitehall’s stand-up routine – he’s definitely one to watch. Some of the other acts were rather flat, and my companion felt we could have seen a few more faces on the bill, but it was a good mix in general.

While we were entertained, we enjoyed a three-course meal. The food won’t be winning any Michelin stars, but is perfectly decent.

The Wam Bam crowd was a mix of birthday celebrations, hen nights and people up for a bit of razzle dazzle in the West End. Once the show was over and meals finished, the tables were swiftly moved away so guests could throw some shapes on Café de Paris’s magnificent dancefloor. A steady stream of crowd-pleasers from the 80s ensured we didn’t sit down for long.

At £75 for the 3-course meal and show, Wam Bam isn’t cheap, but it’s a top night out in a wonderful venue, right off Leicester Square. Turn up early, and you can attend a free burlesque lesson before the show, led by Lady Alex!

Visit London has heard that auditions are currently underway to  recruit a new batch of cabaret talent. Any performers out there who think they’ve got what it takes should get in touch with Lady Alex ASAP to arrange an audition. Check out www.wambamclub.com for details.

And, don’t forget, next week’s London Burlesque Festival kicks off at Café de Paris. I, for one, can’t wait!

The Brickhouse on Brick Lane in Shoreditch is a newish London venue (opened 2007) that hosts a range of comedy, cabaret and club nights.

Inside, it’s a cool, three-tier space with dining tables and a cocktail bar on the ground level, more tables and lounges on the spacious mezzanine and the quirky “bed bar” on the top floor.

I went along last night for the “comedy Tuesday” although it turned out to be more of a cabaret Tuesday, with burlesque performances from Spencer Maybe and Kiki Kaboom (both excellent) as well as an acrobatic act from Colombian artist Andre Phillipe and comedic chaos from “Katinka” the Russian (via Croydon) ballerina.

Admittedly the burlesque acts were both downright amusing and highly enjoyable – just the kind of burlesque I like: clever, cheeky acts with great “stories” and a sensual sense of fun. And the fold-down stage is a nice touch.

Unfortunately I have to report audience attendance was a little folorn – whether due to the fact it was early in the week, pouring rain or whatever. I’d recommend the venue, and the show but maybe plan your visit for a time when it’s likely to be more buzzy: Thursday-Sunday should do the trick!

Check out www.thebrickhouse.co.uk for a full list of what’s on at The Brickhouse.

You can see Kiki Kaboom in action at London Burlesque Week: 20-25 April.

The dress code was described as “neo-Victorian… scientists, explorers, and exhibitionists.” This still didn’t give us many clues as to what we should wear, although a friend assured us goggles were key. We couldn’t find any of those in the charity shops of Clapham, but it didn’t matter because as soon as we entered Scala, it was clear that steampunk attire covers a lot more.

We saw top hats, moustaches, military attire, pipes, corsets and admittedly, goggles and tweed. Dress-up isn’t compulsory at White Mischief, but you’d feel pretty silly if you turned up in jeans and a t-shirt. Steampunks take dressing up seriously and I was hugely impressed by the amazing costumes.

The best thing about White Mischief was the atmosphere and the variety of entertainment. Despite the effort that had gone into people’s costumes, everyone seemed relaxed and friendly.

Unlike many club nights, you don’t just turn up and spend the next few hours on the dance floor, there are lots of other distractions. From Victorian curiosities such as a flea circus, to a steampunk fair where you could buy jewellery, comics and more steampunk-inspired souvenirs.

White Mischief didn’t feel like a club, it was more like interactive theatre. We loved the entertainment, including the fantastic Oompah Brass band (singing along to oompah Bohemian Rhapsody was a real highlight); Voltini the electrocuting scientist (conducting electricity through some unmentionable body parts); burlesque from Beau Burlington (who managed to shed enough clothing weight to take off in an air balloon); and a chainsaw-juggling pirate!

So I’m a convert, I will definitely go to White Mischief’s next party, I’m already planning my outfit…

La Clique London started its Christmas/New Year residency at Camden’s Roundhouse a couple of weeks ago. The show got rave reviews for its original London season earlier this year at the Hippodrome. Some of this season’s performers are the same, some are new (to me), but the show is as fresh, exciting and entertaining as ever.

The first act was tight, taut and terrific with a great mix of different acts. It began with an address from The Queen (impersonator Gerry Connolly, who totally looks and sounds the part – “moist generous” of Her Maj to show up). Then there was trailer-trash trapeze, complete with Guns ‘n’ Roses soundtrack, from the athletic Wau Wau Sisters; Freddie Mercury-inspired juggling with Mario Queen of the Circus; and a whole lotta hula from Marawa.

Act Two kicked off with the gloriously chaotic Meow Meow, who took audience participation to new lengths, and indeed heights, by co-opting five fellas to carry her around the stage. Then Sweden’s Carl-Einar Häckner clowned around, and Sam Alvarez got erotic and aerial with some very big chains.

I’d seen Ursula Martinez‘s saucy burlesque striptease before but La Clique has now incorporated her “disappearing hankie” into the rest of the show to great effect, if the audience’s screams of delight (horror?!) were any indication. The Skating Willers are a stand out – I can truly say I’ve never seen the like and from my seat in the second row, I almost feared a roller skate in the face as their thrilling act was performed.

I originally saw La Clique’s show about a year back. Since then, I’ve been a lot of variety and cabaret in London but this is still hands down the best show in town. Go.

For those of you who have not yet indulged in our guilt-free Afternoon De-Light, it’s London’s first ultra-chic yet waist-friendly version of the quintessential occasion.

Our marathon began on Monday. Following the success of the after-party at The Met Bar, we celebrated our accidental initiation into the “Ministry of Waxing”, truly converted by their manifesto to perfectly manicure the bushes of London’s elite – population that is!

On Tuesday, we welcomed vintage record-spinning DJs to the bar, the Broken Hearts (also known as Amber & Nisha), renowned for their kitsch costumes and fabulously themed parties. They will be making a guest appearance on the Afternoon De-Light roster in October with “The Broken Hearts present Scream Tea – a Halloween Spooktacular”!

On Wednesday, sassy author-in-the-making Bethanie Lunn joined us to experience the menu in order to include it in her forthcoming book, “The Modern Girls’ Guide to Fabulousness”. As a previous Burlesque performer and girl-about-town, word of our delectable tea had been ringing in her ears and she could resist temptation no longer. Perhaps it was the promise of a Victoria’s Secret cocktail?!

With more than 20 low-fat cupcakes (not that we’re counting) consumed (and still feeling saintly), yesterday we reached the dizzying heights of delight when seductive lingerie brand, The Modern Courtesan visited, who in less than seven days (8 August, to be exact) will be co-hosting our “Cour-tea-san De-Light” – sassy seduction classes where you can have your cake on the side.

Here we are at the start of a new day, with another meeting and yes, you’ve guessed it we’re “gonna grab some afternoon delight”…!