Madame Lala's in West End!

MADAME LALA - REVUE based in West End, Mainland London.
Written by Torric Rodas

Madame Lala's is based upon, Madame Jojo's 8-10 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1 - circa 1986-1990.

In the lates 1980's, Revue Bar owner, Paul Raymond opened Madame Jojo's, named after its Filipino manager, female impersonator Jojo.

By the early nineties, Paul Raymond and its Manager, Joho, had parted company, but the name lives on to this day.

Madame Lala's is based upon the era of 1986 to 1990, when Jojo's was a "Club Extraordinare" with a nightly Revue act ranging from live singers to amusing cheap budget shows featuring the staff of the club.

There was nothing dirty going on in the club, everything was innuendo, but tasteful.

The bar was staffed with what was then termed as gender-benders. Male staff wearing leotards, Fishnets, High heels and lots of make-up. It was not permitted to wear a wig, nor a dress as this was considered drag. Drag was only ever performed by hired female impersonators during some shows.

The staff were known as Barbettes. Their job was to ensure you had a great evening. They would approach tables of people with silver platters in hand and deliver drinks as ordered or an expensive but small prawn cocktail. They would sometimes sit with lone gentlemen and keep him company for a while after delivering drinks. The gentleman would usually tip the Barbette into a glass filled with tens and twenties on their platter. The interaction between staff and clientele was always professional. Phone number were never exchanged, nor did staff ever arrange to meet a client outside of the club.

For the most part, the club was a well to do, expensive but classy night out, particularly for straight middle aged or married men who could in effect talk to a feminine guy and then claim afterwards that they had thought it was a woman. It was also an extremely popular with ladies who could enjoy a night out without being hassled. Open way into the small hours, it was a favourite haunt for many top celebrities appearing in West End shows, who would be given VIP entry and complimentary drinks whilst they sat and unwound after their performances and watched the Revue show of the night, usually at 1am... and usually the same show 6 nights a week for 12 weeks.

Whilst it is true that rent boys would come into the club, it was discouraged. If anyone was openly touting for a pick-up they were ejected from the club. However, anyone buying drinks for anyone else and spending money, were encouraged to stay.

Madame Lala in West End is based on this era of Madame Jojo's complete with Barbette staff. It is an accurate portrayal of the nightclub at this time, including the decor. Any topless acts are purely for the glamour of entertainment and no sexual act is to be inferred nor implied. Our staff will conduct themselves professionally at all times.

This is an occasional club. Open for Revue, small bands, stand-up and other cozy entertainment intended for open minded, non judgmental adults of all persuasions.


(c)2011 Mainland London, Torric Rodas ~ All rights reserved.