The greatest show on earth
Legendary cabaret club Crazy Horse is set to finally hit London next week after decades of wowing Parisian crowds. Appearing in a purpose-built temporary venue on the South Bank, the club promises to be the best night out in the capital. We caught up with organiser Harvey Goldsmith, the clubbing stalwart who brought Club Tropicana to London from Cuba and Cirque du Soleil from Montreal.
Q What exactly does the show entail?
A Well, to start with, it’s not a burlesque show – burlesque is more rough around the edges. Crazy Horse is the sexiest cabaret show in the world: it has the most beautiful stars, the best choreography, the best production. That’s why people like Cheryl Cole, Ronnie Wood and Christina Aguilera have seen it. I’ve spent my life scouring the world for the very best entertainment, and I can tell you it doesn’t get any better than this.
Q Why is cabaret and burlesque suddenly so popular?
A Everything goes in phases. London used to be full of cabaret rooms – literally dozens of them, but times changed and people decided they preferred rock concerts. Now they are coming back in a big way. People want to go to an intimate club, where they can get a table and chair, where they aren’t going to get someone spilling a drink over them. It’s a sophisticated night out, there are two great bars. It’s the real deal.
Q What made you launch the venture now?
A We had the idea to bring Crazy Horse over from Paris years ago – it’s been a long process. Part of the problem was finding the right venue, so eventually we just built our own.
Crazy Horse opens on 18 September, running Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets from £35. forevercrazy.co.uk
The cream of the cabaret and burlesque crop
Crazy Horse
The legendary Parisian cabaret has made its way to London’s South Bank. Featuring a cast of ten dancers, the spectacle opens with its iconic act God Save Our Bareskin, which features Royal Horse Guards with a twist. Crazy Horse; 99 Upper Ground, South Bank; tickets from £45; forevercrazyhorse.com
The Box
There is a certain mystery that shrouds the box. With its infamous wooden doors that are notoriously hard to enter and it’s A-list celebrity clientele, it has become one of the most exclusive and talked about places in London. The cabaret shows that run each night are imaginative and risqué. The Box; Brewer Street, Soho; theboxsoho.com
Floridita
A variety of glittering acts take to the stage at Floridita every Wednesday night. Favourites such as the Globe Girls will entertain alongside a host of fabulous West End performers. Watch the show whilst enjoying a Latin American-inspired menu and their legendary cocktails. Floridita; 100 Wardour Street; floriditalondon.com
The Circus
Set in the heart of the West End, this restaurant and bar sees a host of amazing Cabaret acts. Fire-eaters, acrobats, dancers and Burlesque artists perform down a long banquet table, which doubles as a catwalk and stage. At the weekend, diners can expect table dancing and DJs. The Circus; 27-29 Endell Street, Covent Garden; circus-london.co.uk