Glamour and Entertainment

 

Back in the 1990’s, while Terence Conran was busy introducing affordable, quality, design-led restaurants to London, he pursued the idea of developing dining spaces that were both glamorous and entertaining.

Conran believed that guests should enjoy the ‘experience’ of dining out, and that the food should be an integral, but not an entire, part of the event.

In a majority of his restaurants he introduced the open kitchen; a window through which diners could watch the kitchen teams preparing and cooking meals.

Theatre Kitchens, as they became known, are still very much a part of restaurant design today.

In a way they represent the modern day stage, an integral part of the entertainment.

Of course, entertainment whilst dining out has been with us through the ages.

 

 

Conran simply helped to reintroduce the concept to a new generation by making beautiful, and socially interactive restaurants accessible to Everyman (and woman!).

Evidently, several of Conran’s restaurants were inspired by traditional Parisian brasseries, in terms of design, and style.

In turn, those early and mid-20^th century French brasseries were influenced by a previous era; the grand and decadent revue bars of the 1890’s.

 

 

Most famously Le Moulin Rouge and Le Chat Noir.

These venues were hybrid, a melding of theatre stage and restaurant space where actors, dancers, musicians, illusionists and diners would all play their part in the evening’s entertainment.

Le Chat Noir is currently being celebrated in London by the immersive theatre company The Lost Estate.

 

 

They have taken up residence in an events space close to West Kensington underground station and perform a nightly show incorporating live music, circus and cabaret.

The show blends large-scale immersive performance with hospitality, with guests dining on era-inspired French dishes and Belle Époque cocktails designed to evoke the flavours and atmosphere of the period, while the story of Le Chat Noir, unfolds around them.

 

 

At the centre of the story stands the real-life showman and impresario, Rodolphe Salis – who was the proprietor of Le Chat Noir and architect of its most notorious cabaret – as he prepares his final, and most ambitious creation; a feverish celebration of love, art and madness.

This show is high-octane stuff and great fun.

The performers, including many of the serving staff, are trained professionals so it looks and feels like a West End performance.

 

 

Hoteliers and restaurateurs wishing to treat their hard working staff should purchase a handful of tickets and book a few tables here: it’s a great excuse for teams to socialise and let their hair down.

For designers, the interior of Le Chat Noir provides much to be admired: clever dual purpose props, theatrical lighting, trompe l’oeil effects.

Whilst stage design is a specialism, hotel and restaurant designers could benefit from learning some of this art.

After all, for restaurants to offer entertainment, the stage must be set.

For more information visit  www.chatnoirlondon.com

Photo credits: Hanson Leatherby Photography, Nick Ray Photography, Joe & Charlotte Photography