SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential Review

April 16, 2025

SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential Review

16th April 2025

If you have never been to Brasserie Zedel just off Piccadilly Circus, I highly recommend it. The minute you step into the building, you are transported back in time to the 1920s-30s, surrounded by beautiful Art Deco interiors, and the food and service is good. Just across the hallway is the American Bar which will serve you a cocktail once you have decided whether you prefer a half rim or whole rim margarita.

Of course, last night we didn’t go for food and drink, but rather to see David Rhodes perform his European debut of SOIR NOIR: A Nightclub Confidential in Crazy Coqs – the third venue in the building. Rhodes hails from across the pond in the big ol’ US of A, and has already performed his set in Provincetown (Massachusetts) and New York. The show was commissioned in June 2024 for Provincetown Cabaretfest, where the theme of the festival was The Golden Era of Nightclubs.

“His smile, charm and warm personality draws you in”

Rhodes makes his entrance in a sparkly top and black jacket, and is immediately likeable. His smile, charm and warm personality draws you in, and his stories about Cape Cod and Noel Coward’s goddaughter between song classics such as Mac the Knife and What a Wonderful World were entertaining. The song set was perfectly curated.

A highlight halfway through the show was a cameo by Rhodes’ partner, Jake Oswell, who breezed onto the stage, reminiscent of Otto Dix’s portrait of Syliva Von Harden, sporting a thick moustache and black evening dress. Oswell’s performance was mesmerising, voice beautiful, and I would have liked to have seen more.

The evening was delightful, and you can’t fail to enjoy it, however Rhodes himself states that his work is usually “more edgy and often has an LGBTQ+ theme” (Beyond the Curtain, 31 March 2025), and I imagine he is more suited to this style. He is probably the first person to admit he hasn’t the strongest voice, which unfortunately you need to carry off an evening such as this with complete success. Perhaps he could bring some of his edginess to London for his next show?

Rhea Shepherd