LONDON CREATIVE: Reuben Kaye

This week we caught up with Reuben Kaye, one of the stars behind Cafe De Paris.

1. CAFÉ DE PARIS, SUCH A LONDON HOUSEHOLD NAME. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE VENUE?

A bit?  A bit barely scratches the surface. *takes a deep breath* opened in 1924 and lasted the 95 years until today (with a short break when it closed for refurbishment after surviving a direct hit in The Blitz) Café de Paris has housed every icon of the 20th century in some fashion. Performances by The Rat a pack, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Cher, Prince, Kylie Minogue, Noel Coward as well as royalty! Princess Margaret had her 21st birthday here and was regularly carried out in the early morning by palace security after she had escaped the palace guards. Fast forward to Kate Moss stumbling out the front doors after the infamous Wednesday Night party hosted by Elton John. How’s that for history?

2. YOU’RE FAMOUS FOR HOLDING SOME PRETTY CRAZY PARTIES. ARE THERE ANY THAT HAVE REALLY STUCK OUT IN YOUR MIND?

I would never kiss and tell… But I could say one 40th bash I stepped out on stage to be greeted by The Beckhams and Liz Hurley and Elle Macpherson gave me a hug and said I was marvellous… that was the moment I thought… We’ll I can die happy now. Then there was the time I was suspended above the audience singing David Bowie songs drinking champagne out of the bottle… Your normal Tuesday night.

3. WE’VE HEARD TALK OF ‘THE SERVICE’, A NEW IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE AT CAFÉ DE PARIS. WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

One night (Friday night) where the audience can dip its toe into the history of Café de Paris and party like hell on earth. We bring back the ghosts of Café de Paris’ past and relive some of the iconic moments in its history, dragging them into the present and catapulting everyone into Café de Paris’ future.

4. IT SOUNDS PRETTY EPIC, YOU MUST HAVE AN ALL-STAR CAST?

Everyday I pinch myself. It’s a dream to get to work with these talented people. Each one is an award-winning superstar in their own right. Korri Aulakh has won multiple medals and prizes in Paris and Montreal for his trapeze act. Sammy Dineen’s skills rank him one of the top in the world (no spoilers as to what they are!) and Bettsie Bon Bon, our star, is titled Britain’s Queen of The Bump and Grind. Your jaws will drop to the ground… Mine does every night and I made the damn show!

5. TELL US 3 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD VISIT?
1. There’s nothing that exists in London like this show.
2. I’m in it.
3. See reason 2

6. ARE YOU PLANNING ANY FUTURE SHOWS THAT WE SHOULD KEEP OUR EYES OUT FOR?

Apart from every Friday night at Café De Paris. My solo show is finally coming to London at The Soho Theatre in June and in August I’ll be hosting Club Swizzle at The Roundhouse! Come find me at the bar…

Website: www.cafedeparis.com