SingEasy

Written by Penny.

There’s been a lot of talk in the theatre press recently about bad audience behaviour – particularly drunk audience members deciding to join in and drown out the actors on stage with their alcohol-fuelled renditions of a show’s much-loved songs. But imagine going to a venue where you’re allowed to have a drink and are actively encouraged to join in! If that sounds like the best idea ever, then SingEasy is the night out for you!

Described as a “musical theatre party”, SingEasy is hosted in a secret room in the Piano Works West End, just off Leicester Square and a stone’s throw from the bright lights of London’s theatreland. Serving dinner and cocktails, it’s the perfect place to eat before heading off to see a show. You’ll be served by singing waiters and entertained by a host and piano vocalist, the perfect way to get in the mood.

SingEasy has just introduced a new membership scheme that offers great deals on drinks, dining offers and priority and discounted entry. It’s free to join, giving you instant access to London’s stagiest party. I went along to the launch night to get a taste of the SingEasy experience and find out more.

The Venue

Located in a “secret” room in the Piano Works, you’ll walk down an impressively stagey staircase into the main venue, a rather cavernous and slightly shabby bar with a pianist and live band playing requests. The SingEasy room or as it should officially be known, “the room where it happens”, is a much more intimate experience with tables laid out in cabaret style with theatre posters all over the walls and ceiling and a pianist gently playing show tunes as you’re shown to your table. There’s no stage, the singers walk around the tables as they perform, while their colleagues continue to serve food and drinks around them.

Eating and Drinking

I chose from the pre-theatre menu, which offers two courses. Although the vegetarian options didn’t feel particularly creative – the only main course option was a vegan Caesar salad – I very much enjoyed my spicy sweet potato soup and flatiron steak. The steak was lovely and tender, cooked just how I like it and the peppercorn sauce had a real kick. The portions are fairly small but, if you’re eating before going to the theatre, this is no problem as who wants to sit for two and a half hours after a huge meal?!

There’s an extensive drinks menu, including five stagey cocktails that went down very well – so well, in fact, that I heard one of the bar staff saying that they’d run out of whiskey! I particularly liked the vodka-based “Lemon Drops on Roses” and, for those with a sweet tooth, “Sundae in the Park with George”, a Bacardi-based cocktail with chocolate and whipped cream on top, is a real treat.

So, what of the main attraction? That is, of course, the talented waiters and bar staff who switch between serving and singing in a heartbeat! Although they make it look effortless, this is a tough place to perform. Instead of an audience sitting watching your every move, this cast has to contend with people eating, ordering drinks and chatting amongst themselves – as well as staying focused while other staff are walking through their performance space! It’s great fun to have these excellent singers come right up to your table to sing a few lines directly to you. Everybody is encouraged to submit requests from any musical – whether that’s the latest West End hit, the show you desperately want to transfer from Broadway, a movie musical, a classic show, a jukebox musical or anything else you can think of. If the singers know the tune, they’ll give it a go!

The singers have clearly got some pre-arranged songs to give the evening some structure and to show off their talents. This also ensures there’s plenty of variety with something to please everyone. I loved seeing the big duet from TV series Smash, “Let Me Be Your Star” but was horrified to learn that Smash is now ten years old – where has that time gone?! (If you haven’t seen Smash, get straight on it, as it is essential viewing for any musical theatre fan!).

We were treated to songs from some of London’s most popular current and recent shows, including Wicked, Hamilton, Come from Away and Dear Evan Hanson. We enjoyed pop classics from some of the best jukebox musicals like Mamma Mia and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, had a little taste of Mean Girls (the show surely everybody wants to see transfer from Broadway), and more than a little Disney! The emphasis is definitely on the more modern musicals but if Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter are more your thing, you’ll just have to get those song requests in!

Although everybody clearly loved seeing the singers smashing it with their solos and duets, the place really came to life with the big singalong numbers – particularly “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman and “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph, both led by our host for the evening, Christopher – a charismatic MC and fantastic vocalist.

Christopher also gave us a taste of the weekly quiz, the SingEasy Showdown, which is held every Thursday at 7.30pm. Of course, this brought out my ridiculously competitive side and I’m very tempted to go back and try to win.

SingEasy is a guaranteed good night out for anybody who loves musical theatre. Whether you’re visiting before going to a show or wanting to make a night of it, it’s got something for everybody. Good food and drink, great singers and a fantastic atmosphere. To quote Crazy For You, which I’m sure feature be on the request list when it comes back to London this summer, “Who could ask for anything more”?!

You can find out more about SingEasy’s membership scheme on their website.

Follow them on social media @SINGEASYWESTEND

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