Club Swizzle
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A bonkers night out with something for everyone – if you’re feeling brave.
I'm not quite sure how this show managed to win me round but it did. Not a great start - after paying £15 for 2 warm (and tiny) Bellini’s I wasn’t impressed, and the host, Reuben Kaye, takes some getting used to. If you don’t like sharing bodily fluids I would stay out of the front 3 rows (yes, 3).
Despite this, Kaye is hard to ignore and is a naturally funny man, his best jokes being the ad-libs. Just as I was beginning to wonder what it was all about, on bounded the Swizzle Boys and gave us several fantastic acrobatic routines. So well choreographed and executed - loved it, loved it, loved it. And they never failed to lift the show as they performed throughout the evening.
I was a little intrigued to see that the show “contains partial nudity” and I was wondering which part of the show the nudity appeared in. Was it going to be the live band, maybe a dance number or perhaps an aerial act? This is what I love about cabaret-style shows – you never know what is next. I was sort of hoping it wasn’t part of the aerial act as I have seen a doubles trapeze act which looked pretty weird once bodies were naked and upside down. I needn’t have worried. The nudity was done with great taste and a certain amount of bravery given the rowdiness of the audience who were clearly out for a good drink and a fun night.
The live band adds to the ambience, and steers the show well, supporting act after act beautifully. Yammel Rodriguez also deserves a special mention for her incredible aerial act, which left people gasping.
The set is interesting, with a bar that turns into the stage and good views from pretty much anywhere you sit, I’d imagine. The set changes were slick and I really felt part of the show from the start.
I’ve heard great things about LA SOIRÉE (creators of Club Swizzle), so my expectations for this night out were high. I did find some parts of the show a bit extreme for my taste, but I guess that’s what Club Swizzle is about, shocking, silly, funny, clever and over the top in equal parts.
[Club Swizzle](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3211/club-swizzle-tickets.aspx) is on at the Roundhouse in Camden until 26th August. Tickets from £11 (seems like a bargain). Arrive early for drinks at the bar in the centre of the space, and mix with some of the cast prior to the show.