‘A Gatsby Christmas’ is without question a uniquely festive dining experience, just minutes from Holborn station. Through the back door of the huge edifice Victoria House, you step into the London Cabaret club festooned with garlands and twinkling lights. Greeted by elegant staff dressed in 20’s attire we’re shepherded down the stairs for cocktails in the long gallery.

After drinks and an immaculate charleston from the long-legged dancers, we head to the vast Art Deco Bloomsbury ballroom for the main event. Dinner itself is a simple menu with half a bottle of red or white included. The vegetarian main on the ‘gold standard’ option is a tasty mushroom barley risotto and apparently the turkey breast was delicious.

It’s soon becomes clear that this is all about the Cabaret, not the dinner. The round tables are a comfortable place to take in the unashamed smorgasbord of acts that race in and out of the ballroom onto the central chequerboard stage. The hoop dance is divine, the acrobats get the blood pumping (will he land on his head?) as do the ensemble dancers and we are treated to some stunning vocals from Gatsby and his co-host. Most of the numbers are delivered to a backing track except for a French Jazz trio who stand out as a class act. At times it must be said the ‘we’re all at Gatsby’s Christmas Party’ concept is somewhat loosely held with a St Bernard’s dog making an entrance with Santa, a rather tragic drooping Christmas tree flying in from the ceiling and renditions of pop Opera classics like Time to Say Goodbye stretching the brief. But at least there’s something for everyone!

‘A Gatsby Christmas’ is a mish mash of ideas but it is a lot of fun delivered with infectious energy. Given all the talent flying about not to mention enthusiastic DJ’s set to play until 3am, it undoubtedly offers a lot of bang for your buck.

LATEST REVIEWS