Our very own cabaret aficionado Jason Reid peruses the upcoming cabaret events every month so you don’t have to, and picks his cream of the crop for Gay London Life. We’re in the home stretch of summer, so make the most of it. Get yourself along to a show and support LGBTQ+ artists, because boy do they work hard for the money. From Irish cabaret to High School Musical drag, August is chock-a-block with innovative and enthralling events…
Moore Madness with Mrs Moore at Two Brewers
Every Monday, from 8pm.
The voice of a thousand fags, that’s cabaret legend Mrs Moore to the layman, has showbusiness coursing through her veins. Every Monday at this south London cabaret haven, Mrs M treats the gays of Clapham to stunning renditions of musical theatre and pop songs, as well as a smorgasbord of smutty tales. A cheeky treat to start the week!
114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ
Tube: Clapham North
CK Sunday with Crystal D’Canter and Kelly Mild at Halfway to Heaven
Every Sunday, from 3.30pm
The most fun you can have with your clothes on, on a Sunday afternoon. Halfway’s flagship weekly event goes from strength to strength with CK at the helm. Expect disco, pop, musical theatre, ballads and an abundance of collective joy.
7 Duncannon Street, WC2N 4JF
Tube: Charing Cross
Herr School Musical: A Dragtastic Tribute to HSM at Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Wednesday 3rd, from 7pm
How camp does this sound? VERY is the answer. Lip-sync assassin and lover of kitsch pop culture, Herr the Queen heads this all-star cast of Coco Couture, Jamie Fuxx, Lori Mae, Spoiler Rotten and Mark Anthony. Proving that the queens and kings and things are truly all in this together!
372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY
Tube: Vauxhall
Jonny Woo’s Summer Songbook with Rudi Douglas and Fi McCluskey at Soho Theatre
Thursday 4th – Saturday 6th, 9pm
A good old-fashioned singalong is always good for the soul. Cabaret megastar Jonny Woo and pals Rudi Douglas and Fi McCluskey perform breezy pop, rock and disco anthems live at the piano. Expect hits by the divas: Chaka Khan, Madonna and Cher; the rockers: Bowie, Pulp and The Stones; and the disco kids: Sister Sledge and ABBA. A divine evening of escapism is guaranteed.
21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
So Futch! at Duke Of Wellington
Sunday 7th, from 6pm
The launch of a brand new monthly Sunday social primarily for queer womxn. King of kings LoUis CYfer hosts, and he will be joined by a fabulous assortment of vocalists, spoken word artists, poets, cabaret, comics, and musicians. In my opinion, a much-needed addition to the cabaret landscape of Soho.
77 Wardour St, London W1D 6QB
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Tiffaney Wells at The Old Ship
Sunday 7th, from 9.30pm
My favourite east-end cabaret den, plus a seasoned queen that I’ve known for many, many years. Tiffaney is a pro through and through; excelling in musical medleys, and she has more frocks than you can imagine. This is a night that will definitely lift your spirits! Highly recommend.
17 Barnes Street, E14 7NW
DLR: Limehouse
PopHorror: ‘80s Horror Prom Night at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Thursday 11th, from 7pm
Hosted by the brilliant Adam All and Apple Derrieres, this throwback edition of PopHorror — a jewel in the cabaret scene, and critically acclaimed — will feature 80s inspired performances from Felix Le Freak, Oedipussi, Evelyn Carnate and Mynxie. They will also be crowning their Prom Queen and King, plus 80’s prom makeovers and the punchbowl of doom. Certainly not your average cabaret night, PopHorror is a completely unique experience.
372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY
Tube: Vauxhall
GAYLÍ – Queer Irish Cabaret at The Glory
Friday 12th, from 7pm
This really piqued my interest, being the proud Irish queen that I am, so I am. Sure it promises to be a grand celebration of Irish culture with Queen of the South, Candy Warhol, and Queen of the North, Marian Mary. GAYLÍ is a new regular night at The Glory, and each show will end with a céilí so cop on to yourself and join in. Mary Lou McDonald would be all over it!
281 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AS
Overground: Haggerston
Clandestine Cabaret at Above the Stag
Thursday 18th, from 7pm
Featuring dazzling burlesque, drag, comedy, musical theatre, sideshow, and much more; Clandestine Cabaret is the brainchild of show-stopping artists ZeeZee Stardust and Aya L’Storm. Each show intersperses slick video with stunning live performance, making for an unforgettable experience.
72 Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP
Tube: Vauxhall
Crystal Lubrikunt Live at The Glory
Thursday 25th, from 7.30pm
An evening of comedy, cabaret and live music with the very gifted and charming Crystal Lubrikunt. Catch these intimate shows while you can because Crystal is destined for great things. What are you waiting for? Assemble the queers for a night of pure camp at the gorge Glory!
281 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AS
Overground: Haggerston
