Terror 2012: All In The Mind at the Soho Theatre, 16 Oct-3 Nov
Head to the Soho Theatre Downstairs for theatre company The Sticking Place’s annual season of horror theatre. Disturbing, controversial and thrilling, the four plays on offer are strictly for over-18s only. Writers Robert Farquhar (Kissing Sid James & Gods Official), Alex Jones (Noise and I’m a Minger), Mike McShane (Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, Mon Droit) and Darren Ormandy (Hamburg and Sweetmeat) bring you their spookiest short plays alongside chilling cabaret from award‐winning songstress Sarah‐Louise Young (Cabaret Whore and Fascinating Aida) and Desmond O’Connor (Vive Le Cabaret).
terrorseason.com

Drowning Rock at the Camden People’s Theatre, 16 Oct-4 Nov
This ghostly tale set in a remote lighthouse is inspired by cult author HP Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth. Drowning Rock dwells on the mysterious and dark forces beyond the understanding of humankind. Again, this show isn’t for the faint-hearted: Camden People’s Theatre recommend it for audiences aged 15 and older.
cptheatre.co.uk

The London Horror Festival at the Etcetera Theatre, 15 Oct-7 Nov
For four weeks, the Etcetera Theatre in Camden is being taken over by a broad range of performers bringing the best in horror theatre, comedy, magic and performance art, “from psychological spine-chillers to all-out splatter”, according to their website. Highlights include The Puppetry of Flesh (23-25 Oct); Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario (29-31 Oct) and the One Man Halloween (2-4 Nov).
londonhorrorfestival.com

The Horror! The Horror! at Wilton’s Music Hall, 24 Oct-7 Nov
Presented by Theatre of the Damned and part of The London Horror Festival, The Horror! The Horror! is a promenade performance through the historic cobwebs of Wilton’s Music Hall. It promises a “blood-soaked evening of murder, mayhem and bellowing madness, combining London’s rich history of music hall entertainment, the ancient horrors of HP Lovecraft and a cornucopia of Victorian gothic nightmares”. Sounds excellent.
londonhorrorfestival.com/the-horror-the-horror

The Good Neighbour Halloween Special at BAC, 31 Oct
BAC is presenting an adult-only version of family show The Good Neighbour for Halloween. You can explore the dark and dusty passages of Battersea’s old Town Hall: either fight your way through the cobwebs in search of a lost memory, or take an eerie moonlit tour of the streets of Battersea with the strangest brass band you’ve ever seen. After your journey, join in the Council Chamber-based Halloween party complete with spooky cocktails and DJ.
bac.org.uk/whats-on/good-neighbour-halloween-special

Halloween Fun at the Polka Theatre, 30-31 Oct
With all these adult-only shows, you might be thinking Halloween theatre’s not for kids. However, the ever-brilliant Polka Theatre has a couple of fab workshops for little ones, meaning everyone can get into the Halloween spirit. On 30 October, there’s a Halloween themed make-up session for 7-11 year olds; and on 31 October, you can create Halloween light sculptures, laterns and ghostly shadow puppets in a creepy, craft workshop for 5-7 year olds.
polkatheatre.com/editorial/take-part

Check out more London Halloween spookiness here

A new charity initiative was launched this week that sees pop stars taking to the West End stage for special encores. Pop Goes The Musical raises money for Children in Need by offering special £80 tickets for fab West End shows, which are then followed by special performances by pop stars.

• Les Miserables followed by a performance by Alexandra Burke, 18 Sep
• Jersey Boys followed by a performance by Blue, 11 Oct
• Singin in the Rain followed by a performance by Geri Halliwell, 25 Oct
• Thriller Live followed by a performance by Macy Gray and Stooshe, 15 Nov

Tickets can be purchased exclusively at www.lastminute.com/pudsey and include a top price seat, signed programme, Pudsey bear toy, complementary drink and access to a VIP after show reception hosted by the famous bear himself.

Hampstead Downstairs has announced its autumn season this week. Three plays, Brain, Blue Sky and Ignorance will be produced by the theatre; both Brain and Ignorance are new shows, the first by writer Rona Munro; the second by Steve Waters. The space was created for new writers to showcase their work, so if you’re a fan of seeing and feeding back on new theatre, book now.

If you’re looking ahead to theatre production in London for the summer 2013, I’ve got some great news from the Open Air Theatre. Their summer season will contain a production of Harper Lee’s American classic To Kill A Mockingbird alongside the much-loved musical The Sound Of Music. Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Mockingbird will play from 16 May to 15 June. And the Von Trapp family will be encouraging you to Climb Every Mountain and consider your Favourite Things from 25 July to 7 September. These are just two of the four shows on offer at the venue next summer.

London Theatre Casting News:

• Stephen Campbell Moore and Dominic Rowan will appear on stage at the Donmar Warehouse in Berenice this autumn.
• Sian Phillips joins Will Young and Michelle Ryan in the revival of Rufus Norris’ Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret this autumn. Other cast members include Harriet Thorpe, who was in the original production, as Fraulein Kost; and Matt Rawle, who plays the young American writer Cliff Bradshaw. Cabaret opens at the Savoy Theatre in October.
• Marcus Lovett is taking over from Peter Joback as the eponymous lead in The Phantom Of The Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre next month. Joining him are Lara Martins as Carlotta, Anna O’Byrne who plays Christine, taking over from Sofia Escobar, and Simon Thomas, who replaces Killian Donnelly as Raoul.

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!

Terror Season at the Soho Theatre: 19 Oct-5 Nov
Head down to Soho Downstairs, a new underground comedy and cabaret venue for the Soho Theatre’s annual season of horror theatre. Prepare to be terrified and thrilled by an evening of twisted tales, cabaret and Halloween oddities at this controversial sell-out event. Hosted by Desmond O’Connor and Merrill Grant, look out for special guests Jonny Woo, Dusty Limits, Laura Corcoran from Frisky and Mannish, and Fancy Chance.
www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/terror

Festival of the Dead at the Battersea Arts Centre: 28-29 Oct
The Nabokov Arts Club is taking over Battersea Arts Centre, filling the whole space with two consecutive nights of Halloween madness. Festival of the Dead promises to be an extravaganza of live theatre, music, comedy, dance and visual art, all wrapped up into a big party. Highlights include storytelling and poetry, comic theatre with Bad Physics and the Curious Directive, and an immersive theatrical event by Nabokov, Tangled Feet and award-winning playwright Polly Stenham.
www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/nabokov-arts-club

London Horror Festival at the Courtyard Theatre: 25 Oct-27 Nov
More than just a Halloween theatre show, the London Horror Festival presents five weeks’ of dark and challenging performing arts. As well as the Theatre of the Damned’s Revenge of the Grand Guignol, there’s also a performance by Le Nouveau Guignol, the world’s only permanent repertory horror theatre company.
www.londonhorrorfestival.com

All Hallows at the Fan Museum: 31 Oct-1 Nov
A terrifying new play called All Hallows: A Play About Fear receives its premiere reading at the Fan Museum this Halloween. Five professional actors present a story covering more than 120 years of unexpected and decidedly chilling events. Adult themes mean this show isn’t suitable for young people under 16, or those of a nervous disposition. You have been warned!
thefanmuseum.org.uk/events

The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre: booking until 2012
One of the longest running West End shows ever, The Woman in Black still continues to haunt everyone who sees it. Head to the Fortune Theatre this Halloween to see one of the most exciting, spooky, gripping and successful theatre shows ever staged. The Woman in Black isn’t gory or filled with gruesome horror, but as the drama and tension build, you’ll still find your spine totally chilled by the terrifying, ghostly truths unfolding on stage.
www.thewomaninblack.com

Looking for more tips for enjoying Halloween in London? Check out what’s on elsewhere for Halloween, or read out guide to London’s best Halloween Club Nights…

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.

The duo’s hilarious show provides a musical “education” in the form of comedy, cabaret, and pop songs as you’ve never heard them before.

I don’t want to ruin the show by giving away the songs – part of the fun of the night is recognizing songs which they’ve turned into something that sounds completely different. But to give you a taste, you’ll hear nursery rhymes Girls Aloud style, Lily Allen taking on Noel Coward and Radiohead’s Creep reimagined.

Not only was the show brilliantly funny but I also learnt something – it’s not necessarily what you sing but how you sing it.

Frisky and Mannish are playing two more shows in the Udderbelly in London (on 10 and 17 June) as well as hosting a special Frisky and Mannish party.

Even if you don’t have show tickets, I’d recommend a trip to the Udderbelly. It has a lively beer garden with various food outlets including Pizza Express and is a great spot for a drink on the South Bank. It really feels like a little slice of the Edinburgh Festival in London.

E4 Udderbelly in London until until 18 July 2010. Full programme

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.

I wasn’t sure quite what to expect from Soap, billed as an acrobatic extravaganza in bathtubs. Why bathtubs? But it worked so well.

Soap is a well-crafted show featuring eight incredibly talented performers, which manages to be in turns breathtaking, funny, joyful, sensual, beautiful and clever.

The format is a series of performance skits incorporating gymnastics, rope work, juggling, clowning, trapeeze, foot juggling (surprisingly cool), opera singing and water, water everywhere.

To offset the precision physicality on display, the action is tied together by a female clown who manages to be cute, naughty and highly amusing without ever becoming annoying or twee – tough to do but she makes it look easy. As do all the performers.

The industrial set – seven bathtubs (six on stage, one on the ceiling), pipes and ship-like funnels – adds to the cutting-edge feel, as does the music at times. At other moments, we get a selection of 50s be-bop (Bobby Darin’s 1958 hit Splish Splash I was Taking A Bath) mixed with classical tunes from a soprano dressed in London’s most glamorous shower curtain.

Meanwhile the acrobats’ top-flight gymnastics were made more difficult (I imagine) but also more thrilling by the presence of H20, either in their tubs or raining from above. On dry land, this show would be impressive. Add water, and it’s nothing short of awe inspiring.

To experience Soap for yourself at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith until 25 April,  buy your Tickets to Soap today ( £20+bf).