With a fiery Romeo and Juliet at its heart, The London Cabaret Club’s Halloween celebration at the Bloomsbury Ballroom is a masterclass in immersive theatre, where dance, dining, and sheer spectacle blurred into one intoxicating experience.
BY FRANCESCA RAPISARDA
This year, The London Cabaret Club has taken the Mexican festival of remembrance and wrapped it around one of the most iconic love stories ever told: Romeo and Juliet. What unfolds inside the ballroom it’s a full-body experience that pulls you into a world of passion, tragedy, and joy, all set to live music, extraordinary choreography, and a three-course feast.
The Bloomsbury Ballroom glows in gold as guests step through its Art Deco doors. At first glance, it feels like a scene straight out of a dream, flickering candles, sugar skull masks, and a sea of glittering faces illuminated by the flicker of candelabras. This is Día de los Muertos, London-style: elegant, exuberant, and unlike anything else the city’s nightlife has to offer.
The magic begins long before the curtain rises. Guests sip cocktails in the pre-show lounge, the air hums with anticipation, and the sound of different singers drifts through the marble hall. Waiters move gracefully between tables, balancing trays of glittering glasses, while couples pose for unforgettable photos. It’s the perfect prelude, an invitation to leave the outside world behind and step into something extraordinary.
As we take our seats, the theatre transforms. The table, positioned right next to the stage, offers a front-row view of the unfolding spectacle. The ballroom feels both grand and intimate, every table lit by candlelight and the stage close enough to catch the sweep of a dancer’s skirt.
The night opens with a burst of colour and sound. A full ensemble of dancers storms the stage, their costumes an explosion of scarlet and gold, faces painted in ornate calavera designs. The music, blending Latin rhythms, operatic crescendos, and modern beats, sets the pulse racing. From the very first moment, it’s clear that this Romeo and Juliet is no ordinary retelling.
Instead of Shakespearean melancholy, the story is infused with Latin passion. Juliet twirls onto the stage with movements that are fluid and hypnotic. Romeo meets her in a flurry of choreography that fuses contemporary dance and acrobatics. Their chemistry is electric; every glance, every lift was charged with emotion.
Between the lovers’ scenes, singers take centre stage, and their voices are nothing short of amazing. One moment it’s a haunting rendition of Amy Winehouse, the next a power ballad that has the audience erupting in applause. The transitions are seamless, one act melts into the next, each number more breathtaking than the last.
Midway through the evening, acrobats descend from the ceiling on silk ribbons, twisting and spiralling in time with the music. The audience gasps as champagne glasses are topped up and waiters glide through the aisles, serving the next course without interrupting the show’s rhythm. The precision is astonishing, dinner theatre elevated to an art form.
The dining experience complements the performance beautifully. The three-course menu is crafted to match the mood, vibrant, indulgent, and full of flair. A rich starter leads into a perfectly timed main, all served effortlessly as the show continues. Between acts, the lighting shifts, the tempo changes, and the curiosity increases even more, leaving the spectator wondering what is going to happen next.
Champagne flows freely, and the entire room feels alive, united in the thrill of live performance. The energy builds with every number, culminating in a final act that leaves the audience on their feet, applauding and cheering.
Evelina Girling, CEO, Co-Founder , and Creative Producer of The London Cabaret Club, spoke with the same spark that lights up her productions.
“When I first arrived in London,” she says, “I was amazed by how much talent the city had, but it felt like it was missing a space that brought performance, dining, and spectacle together in a truly elevated way. We wanted to create something glamorous and modern, but also deeply immersive, a place where you could escape the everyday for a few hours.”
That philosophy is clear in every moment of Día de los Muertos. The show is polished to perfection yet brimming with emotion. It’s a delicate balance that Girling and her team have perfected, paying homage to classic cabaret while pushing it into the 21st century.
“Cabaret is rooted in storytelling,” she explains. “We take the essence of classic cabaret, the intimacy, the humour, the emotion, and reinterpret it for a contemporary audience. That might mean cinematic staging, couture-inspired costumes, or breathtaking acrobatics. It’s about honouring the past while creating something completely alive in the moment.”
Her passion for inclusivity also shines through. “Cabaret celebrates individuality,” she says firmly. “Our cast comes from all over the world, each bringing their own culture and artistry. We hold open-call auditions to ensure that anyone with talent can be seen, regardless of their background. Being based in London, with its incredible diversity, it feels natural to make that part of who we are.”
Girling smiles as she recalls one of her proudest memories, the opening night at the Bloomsbury Ballroom over a decade ago. “We started as a small pop-up at The Arts Club. That first night here, standing at the back of the room watching the audience completely captivated, it was the moment I knew we’d created something special.”
Looking ahead, she’s already preparing for Christmas Royale, the club’s upcoming festive spectacular. “There’s so much scope to keep evolving, to play with format, storytelling, design,” she says. “The vision has always been to keep pushing what cabaret can be.”
As the night winds down, guests linger over their final glasses of champagne, reluctant to leave the spell that The London Cabaret Club has cast. The performers take their bows to applause, their smiles genuine, their energy infectious. It’s not hard to see why this venue has become one of London’s most beloved hidden gems, every show is a celebration of art, culture, and connection.
Its current production, London Never Dies, continues to captivate audiences with its signature blend of glamour, music, and breathtaking performance. Tickets are available now at Thelondoncabaretclub.com
If cabaret is meant to make you feel alive, this one succeeds beyond measure.
Rating: ★★★★★
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