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Bordello Nights
By Helen Griffiths
 Anyone who read my listings column in the last issue of N16 may have seen the reference to the new, free burlesque night starting on 22 October at the Lion. Sadly it contained a couple of factual errors for which I apologise: a) it wasn’t a burlesque night and b) it wasn’t free.
Errors aside, the opening night was a fair success. The Lion have been providing live entertainment increasingly of late, and the upstairs bar is a very pleasant venue.
The small stage and scattering of candle-lit tables create an intimate setting which has worked well with the small acts playing as part of the occasional Light Programme event on Sunday nights and was equally conducive to showcasing the charms of the opening night of The Bordello’s new residency.
‘Drag cabaret with a burlesque touch’ translated into an extremely accomplished house band bedecked in 1920s finery, with more than the odd feather boa thrown in for good measure. The female singer – the delightfully named Miss Jessie Pie – had a great smoky, old-school lounge singer kind of voice, and judging by the dress was possibly modelling herself on Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys – much to the delight of the crowd.
She’d possibly not been briefed on the Stokey demographic, and so seemed somewhat surprised when her sultry cries of ‘Come on ladies: where did you leave your men?’ to the predominantly female audience fell on deaf ears. She was rapidly enlightened. Singing classics such as ‘All That Jazz’ the band did a great job but unfortunately this standard was not matched by the various other acts they shared the billing with, which were for the most part lacklustre, and sadly the atmosphere created at the Bordello was rapidly lost when anyone else took to the stage. I’m not sure if these acts were badly rehearsed, nervous or chosen for their ability not to outshine the main attraction. Sadly – although I have to admit somewhat hilariously – the band can’t play more than three songs consecutively due to a war injury sustained by the saxophonist, and the need for other acts is set to continue. If the other acts on the billing can raise their game, than this could be a good place to be on the third Friday of the month. I’m going to try the Comedy Candy next. I’ll let you know if I laugh…
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