Wam Bam Reviews
Alex Reid celebrates birthday with Chantelle at the Wam Bam Club, July 28th 2011
Alex Reid celebrated his birthday with a trip to the Wam Bam Club burlesque show at Cafe de Paris in London with Chantelle Houghton.
The 36-year-old cage fighter - who split from wife Katie Price after 11 months of marriage in January - spent the weekend enjoying romantic birthday surprises organised by reality TV star Chantelle including a stay in a "swanky" London hotel and a visit to the racy show.
He tweeted: "Wicked evening @WamBamClub Cafe de Paris, celebrating my birthday with @chantellehought thanks 4all my pressies (sic)"
The couple - who were first linked together in May - became cosier as the night wore on, and were spotted closing in for a secret kiss outside in the early hours of the morning.
Chantelle was very protective of her new man, sticking nearby all evening even as she chatted to other guests.
The Wam Bam Club offers burlesque, cabaret and magic shows, which can be enjoyed over a three course meal with an after party to follow.
Alex is currently adhering to a strict training regimen of no carbs (including alcohol), which we can presume he relaxed for the evening.
There was no question that his companion was enjoying a tipple or two, as Chantelle looked increasingly merry as the evening wore on.
London Burlesque Guide, July 25 2011
With good food and entertainment being my favourite combination, I jumped at the chance of a night out in the West End with the promise of comedy, magic, music and burlesque.
From the moment of entering Cafe de Paris the attention to detail was wonderful. Set in the heart of London’s Piccadilly, Café de Paris has been entertaining folk since it opened it’s doors in 1924. Now a Grade II listed building, it’s the perfect setting for such vaudeville.
We were promptly escorted to our table and our hostess introduced herself and made us feel welcome. Our meal order was taken and within ten minutes our first course was being served. The menu was a pleasant mixture and the steak (although not asked how we would like it cooked) was perfect… medium rare. Additional little extras such as Champagne at £50 a bottle with strawberries or two bottles for £90 were very reasonably priced considering we were in a top West End venue and the selection of nipple tassels on offer was a cute and kitsch idea.
Cabaret Rouge opened the show with a routine of kicks, winking and flashing of cheeks to get the night off to a great start. The Spinettes were superb with perfect harmonies and are possibly the best trio I have ever seen. The mixture of illusion and drag with the funny Bunny Galore was just delightful. In all honesty, I would have liked a burlesque finale and felt a little let down when Scales of the Unexpected finished the show although they were great. The star of the night was without a doubt the fabulous Rae Piper. Her routine from start to finish was captivating and as the music became more and more dramatic it sent shivers down my spine.
The audacious Lady Alex executed her role superbly. She was able to control the audience and involved them although I didn’t really get the Gary Glitter routine. I felt it was a little hit and miss. Nevertheless she pulled the evening off impressively. The free competition to win a bottle of chocolate liqueur and frilly knickers was a nice touch and brought much laughter, especially when my husband was taken to the stage to present the goods!
The evening was near perfect and I although appreciate that the tables are round and shared to honour true cabaret style, disappointingly our chairs were positioned so that our backs were to the stage. Just as the second act came on our main courses arrived so we were faced with an unfortunate dilemma – eat or watch. We of course watched (it would have been rude not to though luckily the entertainment was at such a high standard I could almost forgive this faux pas). It did mean we had to keep turning around to get a quick bite of food and my lovely steak was pretty much eaten cold. This continued through the dessert and was extremely frustrating. I also had to ask for a dirty knife and chipped wine glass to be replaced but these were only minor faults.
Despite the seating issue, I would urge you to pay a visit. The Wam Bam Club promised us first class entertainment and they certainly delivered. It was an extraordinary evening to remember. Just make sure you request good seats when booking.
- Reviewed by Barbara Ward, London Burlesque Guide, July 25th 2011
LIME magazine hen party review: the Burlesque night - Wam Bam Club, May 2011
For anyone seeking an alternative hen experience then a trip to Café de Paris for an evening of Wam Bam entertainment Viva Las Vegas style might just be the thing to get the party started. Our night kicked off with an introduction to the art of burlesque, with pre-show classes run by Burlesque Baby who offer a selection of hen inspired parties. Today our class led by Gemma of (Cabaret Rouge) walked us through a three part routine complete with the pre-requisite feather boa. Not to be taken too seriously our group of about 15, soon got into the character and feel of 1930s cabaret, though a slightly larger performance space may have enhanced the realism.
But leave any inhibitions at the door because it is all in good fun. Just before the Wam Bam club night of comedy, magic, music and Burlesque started we were seated at large round tables with other guests and soon tucked into our three-course dinner topped with a glass of champers. From the French inspired menu I opted for the Boneless Tamworth Pork Rib on a bed of Sweet Mash Potato, without being too filling, it left me pleasantly surprised by its texture. My main was Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Steamed Vegetables.
My guest tucked into the Goats Cheese Roast Pepper Roulade to start with a generous portion of Rib-Eye Steak as her main, leaving her impressed by the generous portion. Her dessert was the Chocolate Bavarois which is for the chocolate lover. Whereas my Braeburn Apple and Cinnamon Tarte was a combination of three delicious desserts wrapped up in one and envied by other guests. As we ate, tributes were paid to comic actor Charlie Chaplin on the overhead screen on what would have been his 122nd birthday. Then before long it was time for the entertainment to begin.
The show's host Lady Alex graced the stage with girls from Cabaret Rouge who were decked out in white can-can attire, true show-girl style. The audience were then treated to elements of the exotic including fire dancers, aerobatics with an element of humour provided by one of the world's most unlikely male ballet dancers and even an Elvis impersonator. My favourite was the 18th century style renaissance trio dancing to contemporary r&b numbers.
The Wam Bam club performers sung as they wandered through the crowd singling out willing and non-willing participants for frivolous and spirited banter. It was a full house with a mixed audience and plenty of men and women on hen nights enjoying themselves and soaking up the atmosphere. By the end of the evening we were on our feet arms swaying to an old Queen classic which drew the evening to a close.
Those who dared then retired to the boudoir, a discreet red velvet themed room tucked away to the rear with oversized beds, walled mirrors, providing the perfect ambiance to possibly indulge in your own Moulin Rouge moment. For something about more tailored, Sharon Kay's Burlesque Baby offers a huge range of hen parties from Charleston to pin-up, vintage tea to your classic hens knees up.
Camden New Journal's Theatre: Review, Wam Bam Club at Cafe de Paris, May 19th 2011
MISS Sherry Trifle delved inside her lollipop pink and cream trifle – that is, an oversized plastic version of the desert that was propped onto the Wam Bam Club’s Saturday night stage.
Underneath the candy-coloured lights, she pulled out a bottle of something that looked attractively intoxicating and shiny, then guzzled the entire bottle.
That rather audacious introduction was a perfect example of the heady night that would follow, full of burlesque, laughs, creativity and mischief.
This over-the-top West End supper club and variety night boasts performances by, among others, Frank Sanazi – a Nazi spinoff of Frank Sinatra – and Gogo Harder, a male “boylesque” dancer who strips down to nearly nothing and manages to inject the audience with an energy that doesn't fade all night.
Other performers included High Tales, Miss Trifle herself and glamorous hostess Lady Alex.
Musical performers Raymond and Mr Timpkins excelled in taking song lyrics and interpreting them, or misinterpreting them, in a very literal way. They stand out for their originality, but listen out for the highlight where one comic swoop manages to change the way you think of Britney Spears lyrics forever.
All in all, this is a brilliant night at the historic Café de Paris.
A good laugh is priceless – and there are plenty of laughs to be had here.
Pavan Amara, Camden New Journal, May 19th 2011
Itchy London Guide 2010
Itchy sees nothing wrong with a bit of cheek every now and then. So, was it any wonder that we jumped at the chance to try an evening of burlesque cabaret from The Wam Bam Club at Café De Paris.
Café De Paris is perhaps renowned for its West End wag tag reputation. However, its opulent interior provides enough old skool glamour to make the perfect venue for some vintage entertainment.
Before the show, Itchy took the affluent option of ordering a three course pre-show dinner. Greeted by our glamorous hostess we were placed at a large round table with other couples of all ages. Whilst the food at the venue was well presented and overall quite tasty, with the wine flowing and service extremely attentive, you do get a sense of mass catering here, a bit like at a wedding. However, still excited at the prospect of some top class tassel-action and enjoying a real sense of being part of an exclusive naughty club, we understood that tonight was all about the entertainment.
Thankfully, the show itself is worth the ticket price alone. After a traditionally feathered routine of big smiles and bouncing buttocks, from the girls of Cabaret Rouge, our corset-clad MC, Lady Alex, arrives on stage with enough double entendre to make Frankie Howerd groan with excitement. Itchy particularly loved her comedy burlesque routine as a sexy suicide bomber. Politically incorrect? Perhaps. Hilarious? Hell yeah!
Other vintage performances come from Kitsch Katz, a dance double act. Whilst Itchy loved the airline hostess number, we are still left pondering how their second routine, which involved a dance round a pizza box, could be considered kitsch. Scales of the Unexpected, a comedy vocal group, also gets our vote with a hilarious take on some 80's classics. However, the real performance of the evening is the comedian, Jason Wood. His fearless camp bitching aided by some stunning singing impressions, from Alison Moyet to Bollywood, makes him absolutely the one to watch.
Finally, just to tease you, our Burlesque dancer, Millie Dollar, provided a stunning classic burlesque performance despite a serious lack of tassel spinning. With the art of seduction these days ruined by the likes of Jordan, whopping her bangers out every two minutes, there is something weirdly erotic about watching a stunning girl, dressed like an old movie star, taking a glove off... slowly. Itchy is so impressed by this slow seduction that we wished we had taken part in the Wam Bam dance class offered at the beginning of the evening. Then we remember how long it takes us to get our trainers off when we are half-cut and we realise that perhaps we are already there. Bizarre, highly entertaining and extremely cheeky.
Itchy is seduced.
Wam Bam Club Itchy London 2010 review.
Time Out, Week of August 27th 2009
Heart Breakfast
“The star of the night for me was the comedienne with her guitar. She was original and very very funny and easily got the biggest laughs. Other favourites; the comedian / magician who was very smart, the couple at the end who performed the mashed up tunes together and the ball bouncer with his mate on the drums - again all original acts which kept you tuned into the action. I wasn't too sure about the stripping astronaut who just took her costume off to music!? or the hula girl who opened - just as you're starting a meal it's not the best having someone pretend to puke into her handbag!!
The venue is stunning for such a night and I enjoyed sharing a table with people I've never met because it always creates conversation. The food was spot on, especially the scallops and the service was faultless. I'm still not sure why some clubs insist on having someone in the toilets to pass you paper towels to dry your hands and to turn the tap on! But perhaps that's just me! Overall a great night out in London - 8/10”
-Michael Traboulsi/Heart Breakfast Newsreader
Senior Broadcast Journalist
In the news
December 2009: "An evening at Wam Bam Club is a journey through cabaret" - The London Daily
1st October 2009: "It's tease, not sleaze" - Haringey Independent
Feedback
A friendly, different night out and mezmerizing. I had a fantastic night and can't wait to come back.
Something unusual, men and woman can enjoy it equally, and it's unusual to have such a glamorous night out.
This probably wasn't the desired effect but as me and my companion left the club we started our own little burlesque show in the middle of Piccadilly. It's impossible to leave Wambam and not feel sexy.
Glitzy, friendly and relaxed.
Fantastic! Really good fun, brilliant atmosphere and excellent venue.
Gorgeous venue, entertaining evening out, classy burlesque.
It was so much fun! Especially the crash course in burlesque before the evening performance. Am in love with the big feather fans and have vowed to buy some for myself to play with.
The show itself was a great combination of beautiful burlesque routines and comedy - just right in my opinion.
A fun and different evening, great atmosphere, great performances.
The staff are friendly, helpful and professional. The performances were fun and entertaining and the after party and night club have a good atmosphere. It's also a nice change from your conventional night clubs.
Because of it's themes you get to dress up specially for the evening, in items you wouldn't usually have the opportunity to wear.
Had a great evening, enjoyed the venue, the old fashioned caberet feel, and the show.
People were also quite friendly and chatted which make a real nice change in the big city.
It's good to have the separate room at the end and an opportunity to stay till late.
I would recommend Wam Bam because it was excellent value for money - there was something to suit everyone and then the music afterward in the club was varied enough so we were able to continue a great night out in the one place - what's not to like?!
Wam Bam makes a night of an evening. It's very well put together, plenty of variety and a great show case for new acts.
