Later that decade the venue was transformed into a theatre, which hosted many memorable performances – including the English premiere of Swan Lake – until it was closed in the 1950s. In 1957 it was reopened as “The Talk of the Town”, a nightclub at which international stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey made appearances. It continued to be a nightclub in various incarnations until 2004, after which time it was variously a burlesque venue, corporate events space and theatre once more.

On 13th July this year this venerable building was reopened as The Hippodrome Casino, which features a restaurant, bars and event spaces as well as a plethora of gaming opportunities. Indeed, the live entertainment should be as much of a draw as the gambling, as their Matcham Room boasts appearances from Miss Polly Rae, Ruthie Henshall, Cerys Matthews and many more.

The overall feel of the Hippodrome is discreetly stylish, and it’s worth visiting just to inspect the building and get a feel of its rich past. Although the main room’s large, flower-like lights are the sort of thing a teenage girl might choose for her bedroom, they don’t detract from the pleasant experience of simply walking around the building’s many floors – at any time of day or night – and mingling with the well-heeled crowd.

Gaming opportunities are everywhere, including the swanky Top Deck poker area, but there’s no sense of being pressured into playing. If you don’t gamble, the two-tier smoking terrace and reasonably priced bars (their unexpectedly large selection of beer starts from £4.10 per pint and bottles of wine from £19.50) are an attractive proposition, especially as they serve until 5am.

Although I visited after the Heliot restaurant had closed for the evening, its menu boasts some interesting dishes that will undoubtedly lure people away from the inedible sort of chips – Millionaire’s Mac “n” Cheese, anyone?

The Hippodrome Casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except for Christmas Day. Heliot opens at 5pm daily. Let us know what you think of the new Hippodrome in the comments section below.

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.