The evening was already getting going as I wandered along Lavender Hill, Battersea, London. Having already assisted a cyclist, following an unfortunate accident and dispatched him to hospital, I felt just about ready for anything...!
Arriving at The Clapham Grand, an awesome and imposing venue, former Victorian music hall, I was confronted by a large rowdy crowd of 'young ladies' sporting sashes and fluffy, flashing bunny ears! Was I in the right place? Had I stumbled upon a hen party convention?
Taking a vantage point in a bar opposite, I observed and recomposed myself. As it turned out, in the hour leading up to the 10pm start of Boom & Bang Club there was an opportunity for hen prospects to mingle with, and have pictures taken with near naked, oiled and muscled male dancers... It was clearly very popular...!
For the first time ever I was asked for ID, and once that indignity was done, I was in! The full spectacle confronted me, light shows from floor to ceiling and an ocean of gyrating bodies on and off stage...!
This is a new night for Boom & Bang at The Clapham Grand, and it is full-on visual light show meets circus clowns, dancers and big club sounds. Boom & Bang have been around for a while with revered late night shows at The Hippodrome Casino, but this circus/club fusion at Clapham Grand is a new concept.
Behind Boom & Bang is Bioux Hayes, who was DJing and the music made the evening: Retro to 80s club tunes - just my genre! More world famous DJs are lined up for future events.
The Grand lent itself well with its 2 rows of 3 grand boxes providing vantage spots for gyrating clowns... Dot Cotton (part of The Late Night Shop Cabaret), and the team of clowns, provided the most colourful live entertainment.
www.thelatenightshop.co.nr
If in Clapham on a Saturday night, and a fantasy fusion of audio/visuals, clowning cabaret and retro sounds suit you then Bang & Boom Club should be experienced to be believed...!
www.boomandbang.co.uk
www.claphamgrand.com
words by:
Pierce de Resistance
Photography by Picturerama - James Drury
