In The Ring at Bethnal Green Working Man's Club

In The Ring at Bethnal Green Working Man's Club

28 September, 2009
by: Gina Louise

I am no stranger to the Bethnal Green Working Man's Club, and am well aware their parties are no ordinary night out. So when I was asked to review their event Party in the Ring, I expected…well, the unexpected. Those guys and gals down at Oh My God I Miss You never fail to surprise with their eclectic array of cabaret, burlesque and games, and their circus themed night proves to be no exception.

After a scenic wander around the streets of Bethnal Green (read, getting lost and relying on the pity of strangers to point me in the right direction), I finally make it to the club, and am greeted by the larger than life characters on the door. They pretty much sum up the atmosphere of the club, with their over the top outfits and huge personalities; I can tell it's going to be one of those nights.

After being told to get a couple of drinks down my neck before returning to have the customary moustache drawn on, I move into the school-hall esque interior of the club, which they have gone all out to decorate in Circus memorabilia. The smell of roasting popcorn is overwhelming, and you actually feel like you've wandered into a stereotypical circus tent.

First to take to the stage is Lena May, a burlesque act whose biggest asset is – surprisingly - her diamond smile, which is almost as hefty as the pink plumage fans she is wielding. The act, though perhaps a little uninventive, is rather amusing, and certainly gets the crowd going. Taking a pretty standard burlesque prop, she adds personality and a bit of compulsory cheek, and gets the night started off with some hollering and hooting from the audience.

Next on the bill is a curious little act: a ring master wielding a rather sorry looking whip chasing a disgruntled middle aged man in a faux-fur lion costume around a six foot square stage. As you may imagine, the act is limited, but humorous to say the least. The dwindling musical accompaniment, and the on purpose lack lustre performance makes for a giggle, as the lion performs some half-ass tricks whilst giving the tamer some attitude. His patience eventually exhausted, he maims his owner and the act is over not long after it began.

Last but not least is a rather disappointing fire breather, whose act of smoking three cigarettes angers the crowd rather than wows them. I think this may have gone down better pre-smoking ban! When no-one seems overly impressed at her slightly vile party trick of putting them out on her tongue, she reverts to the sure fire hit of getting her tits out. Classic. It seems to do the trick though, and her short comings are forgotten as the night moves on.

After all the fun and frolics of the entertainment, the night is rounded off with a game of limbo. Unfortunately, being rather too big for games where being small is an advantage, I have to watch on as my friend graciously accepts the limbo trophy. After all the fun and games are over, there is nothing left to do but have a good old fashioned knees up, get on the dance floor and swing along to the rock 'n' roll classics tumbling out of the speakers. Another night at the Bethnal Green Working Man's Club complete, I'm sure it won't be too long before I'm back again for a night or two of unadulterated cabaret chaos…

Check out more cabaret in London
Check out more things to do in London

Gina Louise