Anyone with a yearning for a little glitz and glamour will revel in the box office hit movie, Moulin Rouge.

Now a regular club night planned for Blackheath Halls is going to offer the chance to live out that fantasy with no-holds-barred decadence.

The event is about indulgence, with every aspect of the evening meticulously considered to ensure a perfect recreation of the heady atmosphere of bygone times and with every sense tantalised.

Picture this: the splendour of red and gold, rich drapes, filtered lighting, lush plants, huge arrangements of exotic and erotic flowers, pure essential oil in the air, tables draped in dark muslin, candles and fresh rose petals on the tables, gothic candelabras each holding 25 church candles to frame the stage, a grand piano in the lounge bar, glamorous costumes, dancers, host and hostess Monsieur Corsage and Madame Totti, glamorous cigarette girls, flamenco singers and musicians, soul diva, an eight-piece jazz/soul band, pianist and saxophonist, a DJ playing the sounds of New York Groove/New Disco until 2.15am.

The live entertainment by 30 singers and dancers will draw on the raw sexual energy of flamenco, the danger and excess of 30s' Berlin, the heart-wrenching power of soul, the sassiness of jazz and the energy of funk.

When not performing, the Moulin Rouge dancers will circulate among the guests, in character as French dancers. There will be a Kir Royale reception and mellow and moody entertainment by a pianist and sax player in the upstairs lounge bar.

Patrick Courtney, one of the organisers, said the entire experience has been so carefully planned to ensure consistency that even the toilets will have black spanish soap.

He said: "It's going to be a night of fun and indulgence, and one people will enjoy talking about for some time. Without doubt, the event will be stunning. This is our inaugural night and we need it to work if we are to stage regular nights of fun and indulgence."

An Evening at the Moulin Rouge, Blackheath Halls, Lee Road, Blackheath, 9pm, bars close at 2am, £20, 020 8318 9758.

October 22, 2001 18:32

Joan Gardner